PUY-DE-DÔME. François de BONAL (1734-1800), bishop of Clermo - Lot 308

Lot 308
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3000 - 5000 EUR
PUY-DE-DÔME. François de BONAL (1734-1800), bishop of Clermo - Lot 308
PUY-DE-DÔME. François de BONAL (1734-1800), bishop of Clermont (1776-1800). 16 L.A.S. to Champion de Cicé, 56 pp. in-4. Brussels, Maestricht, The Hague, Altona and Fribourg, October 1792-Nov. 1795. Some addresses on the back and wax stamps. Exciting correspondence of emigration, intimate, of a fine writing, with a very dense content, delivering precious details on the organization and the life of the French clergy in exile. [Close to Louis XVI who consulted him on several occasions, in particular on the question of sworn priests, his correspondence was found in the Tuileries, in the iron cabinet and reproduced during the trial of the King. He was exiled to Brussels, then to The Hague; arrested, he was sentenced to deportation]. The first letter is written on his arrival in Brussels; he evokes "the horrible massacre which has stained the capital" [massacres of September]. Long pages are devoted to the divergent views and positions of the clergy in exile, especially during the Assemblies of Brussels, where he gives an account of the positions of each one, of the course of the sessions and of his interventions, in particular on the question which divides a good number of them: how to treat those who have sworn to the Civil Constitution, a question for which he asks the pope to decide. This question is the main thread of this long correspondence, until the very last chapter of the last letter written from Fribourg: "I limit myself to these objects; it would take a volume to complete all that is revolting in the object of this decree, which is that of the required subscription: Everything in it breathes impiety and horror of the Catholic religion, and yet a very large number of priests, otherwise very respectable, have given in and let themselves be drawn into the nets that have been set for them: in my diocese, among others, the defection is frightening in number; I would vouch for the uprightness of the intentions, motives and views of all the delinquents, but the scandal seems to me to be dreadful: what course of action should be taken to repel it? I do not see any, which does not present me with dreadful disadvantages; allow me to question your wisdom and your lights, and deign to tell me, what you believe practicable in such a delicate situation; my embarrassment is extreme, and my pain is not less ". He also comments on the events of the time, like the execution of Louis XVI in a letter of January 29, 1793.
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