The former French Catholic diocese of Riez existed at least from fifth century Gaul to the French Revolution. Its see was at Riez, in the modern department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

History

According to an unsupported tradition, the establishment of the Church in this diocese is attributed to the first century and to Eusebius of Eudochius, companion of Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead by Christ himself.Duchesne, Fastes episcopaux I, pp. 321–340. The story belongs to the eleventh century and later. A certain Prosper of Reggio of Reggio in Emilia (at the beginning of the fifth century) figures in the history of Riez and was perhaps its bishop.This was the opinion of Denis de Saint-Marthe in Gallia christiana, I (Paris 1716), pp. 388–390, based on the statement in the "Homily of Bishop Faustus" that Riez was 'widowed of its pastor' (sancto orbata pastore populi praesentis Ecclesiae) when Maximus became bishop. The idea was dropped by J. Albanès in the newer edition, Gallia christiana novissima, Tome I: Aix, Apt, Fréjus Gap Riez Sisteron (Montbéliard 1899), pp. 559–562; 565–566. The idea is positively rejected by Duchesne, p. 283 note 6.

The first certainly known bishop of Riez is Maximus (433–60), who succeeded Honoratus as Abbot of Lérins and who, in November 439, held a synod at Riez with a view to regularizing the situation of the churches of Southern Gaul, particularly the competing ambitions of the metropolitans of Embrun and Arles. The synod was presided over by Archbishop Hilary of Arles.C. Munier, Concilia Galliae, A. 314 – A. 506 (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), pp. 61–72. Maximus subscribes next-to-last of fourteen bishops.

His successor, Faustus of Riez (461–93), also Abbot of Lérins, was noted for his writings against Predestinationists; it was to him that Sidonius Apollinaris dedicated his "Carmen Eucharisticum" in gratitude for hospitality received at Riez.Sidonius Apollinaris, Poems and letters,, Volume I, With an English translation, introd., and notes by W.B. Anderson (Cambridge: Harvard 1937) pp. 240–242.

Robert Ceneau, the pulpit orator (1530–32), afterwards Bishop of Avranches, and Cardinal Guido Bentivoglio (1622–25), who was nuncio in France and defender of French interests at Rome, were bishops there.Georges Goyau, "Digne," The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 4 (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908); retrieved: 2017-06-17.

In 1693 the number of residents in Riez was approximately 6,000, many of whom were Protestants. They were all subjects of the temporal power of the Bishop of Riez.Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 331, note 1. The entire diocese contained 52 named localities, and 60 parishes (including 5 rural priories).Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 559–560. In 1751, 3,000 faithful Christians (Catholics) are reported, and the diocese contained 54 parishes.Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 355, note 1.

Bishops

To 1000

Maximus (434–460)Maximus: Duchesne, I, pp. 283–284, no. 1. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 565–569. Faustus of Riez (461–495?)Faustus had succeeded Maximus as Abbot of Lerins. He was in exile from Riez from 477 to 485. Duchesne, p. 284 no. 2. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 569–573. [Didymus (510?)]Duchesne, p. 284, note 4: "Albanès insère ici, sans la moindre raison, un évêque Didyme." Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 573. Contumeliosus of Riez (c. 518–533)Contumeliosus was already bishop in 518. He participated in the Councils of Arles (June 524), of Carpentras (November 527) and of Vaison (November 529). He was deposed by the Council of Marseille in May 533, on a charge of adultery, and sent to a monastery to do penance. On 7 April 534, Pope John II ordered Contumeliosus deposed and appointed Bishop Caesarius of Arles as an Apostolic Visitor appointed until a new bishop could be provided. Duchesne, p. 284 no. 3. Carolus De Clercq, Concilia Galliae, A. 511 – A. 695 (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), p. 45, 49, 80, 84–87. Faustus (II.) (549)Faustus was represented at the Council of Orléans in 549 by the Deacon Claudianus. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 574–575. Duchesne, p. 284 no. 4. De Clercq, p. 160. Emeterius (554)Emeterius was represented at the Council of Arles 554 by the Archdeacon Liberius and by the Deacon Claudianus. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 575. Duchesne, p. 284 no. 5. De Clercq, p. 173. Claudianus (573)Claudianus: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 575–576. Urbicus (584–600?)Urbicus was present at the Council of Valence in 584, and the Council of Mâcon in 585 (not 589). Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 576–577. Duchesne, pp. 284–285 no. 7. Du Clercq, pp. 236, 249. He is mentioned by Gregory of Tours, Historia Francorum Book IX, chapter 41, ca. 589. Claudius (630?–650?)Claudius: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 577–578. Duchesne, p. 285 no. 8. Claudius was allegedly present at a synod which is said to have been held at Reims in 625. His name does appear in any acts of a council, but only in Flodoard's Historia ecclesiae Remensis. (Flodoard, Historia ecclesiae Remensis, Book II, chapter 5. ). This synod is not dated, and its acts quoted by Flodoard, do not appear in collections of church councils and synods. Louis Duchesne has noticed that the acts quoted by Flodoard are actually borrowed from the Council of Clichy in 627. De Clercq, p. 298, remarks, "Hic ergo omittendum videtur." ('It seems this (synod) should be omitted') Archinric (seventh century)Archinric: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 578–579. Known only from an old catalogue from Riez. Omitted by Duchesne. Absalon (late seventh century)Absalon: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 579. Known only from an old catalogue from Riez. Omitted by Duchesne. Anthimius (700?)Anthimius: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 579–580. Known only from an old catalogue from Riez. Omitted by Duchesne. Riculfe (789?)Riculfe: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 580–581. Known only from an old catalogue from Riez. Omitted by Duchesne. Rostan (820?)Rostan: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 581. Known only from an old catalogue from Riez. Omitted by Duchesne. Bernaire (840?)Bernaire: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 581–582. Known only from an old catalogue from Riez. Omitted by Duchesne. Rudolf (850?)Rudolfus: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 582. Known only from an old catalogue from Riez. Omitted by Duchesne. Edoldus (879)Edoldus was present at the assembly of Mantaille in 879. Duchesne, I, p. 285, no. 9. Gerard (936)In 936, Bishop Gerard accompanied Abbot Odo of Cluny on a visit to Rome. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 583–584. Almerade (c. 990 – c. 1030?)Almerade was frequently involved in the business of the abbey of Cluny (1005, 1011, 1016). Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 584–585.

1000–1300

Bertrand (1040–1060?)Bertrand: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 585–586. Agelric (1060?)Agelric: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 586. Henri (I.) (1094)Henri: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 586–587. Augier (1096–1139?)Augier: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 587–589. Fouques (1140)Fulques: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 589. Pierre Giraud (1145–1156)Pierre Giraud: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 589–590. Henri (II.) (1167–1180)Henri (II): Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 590–591. Aldebert de Gaubert (1180–1191)Aldebert de Gaubert: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 591. Bertrand Garcin (1191–1192)Garcin: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 592. Imbert (1192–1201?)Imbert: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 592–593. Hugues Raimond (1202–1223)Hugues Raimond: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 593–595. Rostan de Sabran (1224–1240)Rostan de Sabran: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 595–596. Fouques de Caille (1240–1273)Fouques was elected before the end of 1240. He was a friend of Raymond Berenguier V, Count of Provence, and then of Charles d'Anjou, who became King of Naples. In 1255 he founded the abbey of Saint-Catherine de Sorp, along with a college of Canons and a hospital for the poor. He died on 27 July 1273. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 596–598. Eubel, I, p. 417. Mathieu de Lusarches (1273–1288)Matthew was already elected and confirmed by 16 September 1273, when he received oaths of fealty from some vassals. He was still alive on 13 June 1288. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 598–599. Eubel, I, p. 417. Pierre de Négrel (1288–1306)Pierre de Négrel had been a Canon of Saint-Saveur in Aix (1276), an official of the Archbishop of Aix (1281), and Precentor of the Cathedral Chapter (1286). On 1 November 1288, as Bishop-Elect he received the hommage of his vassals. He died on 5 June 1306. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 599–600. Eubel, I, p. 417.

1300–1500

Pierre de Gantelmi (1306–1317)Gantelmi' bulls were issued on 13 July 1306. He died on 13 March 1317. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 600–602. Eubel, I, p. 417. Gaillard Saumate (1317)Saumate was appointed (provided) by Pope John XXII on 14 March 1317. He was transferred to the diocese of Maguelonne on 12 November 1317, and then to Arles. He died in Arles in 1323. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 602. Eubel, I, pp. 320, 417. Moellat (ed.) Jean XXII. Lettres Communes Tome 1 (Paris 1904), p. 286, no. 3116. Gaillard de Preissac (1318) (Gaillard de Preyssac)When the diocese of Toulouse was raised to the status of an Archdiocese by Pope John XXII in 1317, he removed Gaillard, the nephew of Pope Clement V, who had been Bishop of Tours for eleven years, not wishing him to be the new archbishop. Gaillard refused the transfer to Riez, and therefore on 31 March 1318, John XIII named another bishop, Pierre des Prés. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 602–603. Pierre des Prés (1318)Pierre was appointed Bishop of Riez on 31 March 1318 by Pope John XXII, and transferred to the diocese of Aix-en-Provence on 11 September 1318. He was named a cardinal in December 1320. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 603–604. Eubel, I, pp. 15 no 12; 96; 417. Rossolin (1319–1329) Bernard d'Étienne (1329–1330) Arnaud Sabatier (1330–1334) Geffroi Isnard (1334–1348) Jean Joffrevi (1348–1352)Jean Joffrevi was a Doctor of Law (Toulouse, 1339). He was subsequently Bishop of Valence-et-Die (2 March 1352), then Luçon (May–November 1352), and then Elne (21 November 1354). Finally, on 27 February 1357, he was named Bishop of Le Puy. He was named Auditor of the Sacred Palace on 5 March 1362. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 608–610. Eubel, I, pp. 91, 315, 417, 513. Pierre Fabri (I.) (1352–1369)The bishopric was vacant for seven months after the transfer of Jean Joffrevi. On 5 October 1352, Fabri, who held the office of Precentor in the Cathedral Chapter of Orléans, was appointed bishop of Riez by Pope Clement VI. He died in December 1369. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 610. Eubel, I, p. 417. Jean de Maillac, O.Min. (1370–1396)Maillac had previously been Gaurdialferia (1348–1350) and Bishop of Gubbio (1350–1370). He was named to the diocese of Riez on 27 March 1370 by Pope Urban V. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 610–612. Eubel, I, pp. 242, 269, 417. Guillaume Fabri (1396–1413)Guillaume Fabri was appointed by Pope Benedict XIII (Avignon Obedience) on 22 December 1396. Eubel, I, p. 417. Pierre Fabri II. (1413–1416?)Pierre Fabri was appointed by Pope John XXIII on 13 December 1413. Eubel, I, p. 417. Michel de Bouliers (I.) (1416–1441) Michel de Bouliers (II.) (1442–1450)