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Louis-Ernest Dubois

Louis-Ernest Dubois was a French cardinal and Archbishop of Paris who played a significant role during the period of adjustment to the separation of Church and State in France. He was known for his conciliatory role with French authorities and his contributions to art history and archaeology.

Key Facts

  • Appointed Bishop of Verdun in 1901, Archbishop of Bourges in 1909, Archbishop of Rouen in 1916, and Archbishop of Paris in 1920.
  • Created Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Aquiro in December 1916.
  • Led a French government religious mission to the Middle East and Balkan countries in 1919-1920.
  • Participated in the 1922 papal conclave.
  • Published works on art history and archaeology.
  • Received the Legion of Honour in 1926.
Full Name
Louis-Ernest Dubois
Birth Date
1 September 1856
Death Date
23 September 1929
Term Start Date
13 December 1920
Term End Date
23 September 1929
Notable Achievements
  • Played A Leading Role In the Adjustment To the Separation of Church and State In France.
  • Actively Participated In Helping Soldiers and Their Families During the First World War While Archbishop of Bourges.
  • Headed A French Government Religious Mission To Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Smyrna, Athens, Constantinople, and the Balkan Countries.
  • Named the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre Guardians of the Crown of Thorns.
  • Served As Papal Legate To the National Marian Congress In Chartres.
  • Established An Ordinariate To Co-Ordinate Foreign Language Catholic Chaplaincies In Paris.
  • Published Several Works On Art History and Archeology.
Birth Place
Saint-Calais
Death Place
Paris
Episcopal Ordination Date
20 September 1879
Notable Status

About Louis-Ernest Dubois

Louis-Ernest Dubois (1856–1929) was a prominent French prelate who served as a Cardinal and the Archbishop of Paris. He held significant influence during a critical period in French history, particularly concerning the adjustment to the separation of Church and State, a process mandated by the 1905 law. Dubois navigated these complex societal and religious shifts with a conciliatory approach towards French authorities.

Early Life and Ordination

Born in Saint-Calais, France, Dubois pursued his ecclesiastical education at the Collège Ecclésiastique de Notre Dame and the seminary of Le Mans. He was ordained a priest on September 20, 1879. His early ministry was spent in pastoral work within the diocese of Le Mans, where he also served as editor of "Semaine du fidèle" and later as Vicar general.

Episcopal Career and Cardinalate

Appointed Bishop of Verdun in 1901, Dubois was noted for being the youngest bishop in France at the time. His episcopal motto was "Regnavit a ligno Deus." He was subsequently promoted to Archbishop of Bourges in 1909, where he actively supported soldiers and their families during World War I. In 1916, he was transferred to become the Archbishop of Rouen. In December 1916, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal-Priest. He later served as Archbishop of Paris from December 1920 until his death.

Key Contributions and Later Life

As Archbishop of Paris, Dubois was involved in significant events, including the 1922 papal conclave. He undertook a French government religious mission across the Middle East and the Balkans in 1919-1920 to convey France's religious impartiality. He also played a role in organizing Catholic chaplaincies in Paris and was recognized for his publications on art history and archaeology, earning him the commander of the Legion d'honneur in 1926. His tenure concluded with his death in Paris in 1929, and he is interred in the crypt of Notre-Dame de Paris.

Source: Wikipedia ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Louis-Ernest Dubois born and when did he die?

Louis-Ernest Dubois was born on September 1, 1856, and passed away on September 23, 1929.

What was Louis-Ernest Dubois's role in the separation of Church and State in France?

He played a leading role in the period of adjustment to the separation of Church and State in France, and Verdun was one of the few French cities where the bishop was not obliged to leave his palace following the 1905 law.

What significant religious missions did Cardinal Dubois undertake?

Cardinal Dubois headed a French government religious mission to various countries in the Middle East and the Balkans from December 1919 to March 1920, and he also led an unofficial mission on behalf of the French Government when the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople was under threat.

What were some of Cardinal Dubois's notable achievements as Archbishop of Paris?

As Archbishop of Paris, he took part in the 1922 papal conclave, named the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre guardians of the Crown of Thorns, and established an ordinariate to coordinate foreign language Catholic chaplaincies in Paris. He also published works on art history and archeology and was made a commander of the Legion d'honneur.

Where is Louis-Ernest Dubois buried?

Louis-Ernest Dubois is buried in the crypt of Notre-Dame de Paris. His marble monument, sculpted by Henri Bouchard, is located in the southeast corner of the ambulatory.