making of the French episcopate, 1589-1661, The

Book Description

This comprehensive scholarly work illuminates a pivotal era in French Catholic history, examining how the Church's leadership transformed during one of its most crucial periods of reform. Joseph Bergin presents an in-depth exploration of the French episcopate from 1589 to 1661, revealing the intricate processes that shaped the upper clergy following the Council of Trent's reformist mandates.

The study begins by mapping the structural foundations of the French Church and the complex mechanisms through which bishops were selected and confirmed for their sacred offices. Bergin then constructs detailed portraits of these religious leaders, analyzing their social backgrounds, geographic origins, educational foundations, and the career paths that led them to episcopal authority.

Central to this narrative is the evolving relationship between royal power and Church patronage. The author traces how the French crown gradually reclaimed control over ecclesiastical appointments after the devastating religious wars, systematically reducing noble influence over diocesan leadership. This process reveals the crown's growing alignment with Counter-Reformation ideals and its increasing commitment to appointing bishops who embodied the spiritual standards demanded by Church reform.

Drawing from extensive archival research across France and Italy, this work offers both historical insight and practical understanding of how institutional transformation occurs within religious contexts. The included biographical dictionary serves as a valuable resource for understanding individual spiritual leaders who shaped this transformative period in Catholic history.