Les éminences grises. Une élite ecclésiastique en quête d'autorité : chanoines cathédraux "belgiques" aux temps des Lumières et des révolutions
(2018)
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- According to canon law, the cathedral canons are supposed to be the bishop’s staff. However, practically, at the end of the 18th century, they exceed this role. As a whole, chapters are influencing and sometimes lobbying bishops. Some individuals are also playing a role as “grey eminences”. The research is dedicated to the canons of the last decades of the 18th century, attached to the cathedrals of the Austrian Netherlands, i.e. St. Rumbold of Mechelen, Our-Lady of Antwerp, St. Donatian of Bruges, St. Bavo of Ghent, St. Martin of Ypres, St. Aubin of Namur and Our-Lady of Tournai. These dioceses establish together the “Belgian” Church. For that purpose, a prosopographical database has been created. It identifies the origins, familial background, holy orders, academic training, former responsibilities and responsibilities as a canon. The study emphasizes some familial connections between clerics. Families of law officers, councillors and local bureaucrats are widely represented. Above all, the key finding appears to be the predominance of a minority. Among the dioceses, a scholar’s network arises from the University of Leuven. This network controls the ecclesiastical benefits market and, from there, the main key positions in chapters and bishoprics. This academic network deeply influenced the cleric’s attitude towards Josephism (1780-1790). However, under the French republican government (1795-1802), it failed to impose an unanimous resistance to take an oath of obedience to the republic. The Church/State conflicts at the end of the 18th century revealed the hidden influence of the Leuven’s network and led to his final defeat.
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Vandermeersch, B. (2018). Les éminences grises. Une élite ecclésiastique en quête d’autorité : chanoines cathédraux “belgiques” aux temps des Lumières et des révolutions. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/172967