The Diocese of Angers (Latin: Dioecesis Andegavensis; French: Diocèse d'Angers) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in France. The episcopal see is located in Angers Cathedral in the city of Angers. The diocese extends over the entire department of Maine-et-Loire.
It was a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Tours under the old regime as well as under the Concordat. Since the general reorganization of the French hierarchy of 8 December 2002, the diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Rennes, Dol, and Saint-Malo.
In 2022, in the Diocese of Angers there was one priest for every 2,944 Catholics.
History
The first bishop of Angers known in history is Defensor, who was present in 372 at the election of the Bishop of Tours, and made a determined stand against the nomination of Martin of Tours. The legend concerning the earlier episcopate of a certain Auxilius, who converted nearly the entire province ca. 260–270;Tresvaux I, p. 14. he is connected with the cycle of legends that centre about Firmin of Amiens, who is said to have evangelized Bauvais, and is contradicted by Angevin tradition from before the thirteenth century.Duchesne, p. 356.
Among the names of the Diocese of Angers during the first centuries of its existence are those of Maurilius, disciple of Martin of Tours, and at an earlier period hermit of Chalonnes, who made a vigorous stand against idolatry, and died in 427. As for the tradition that Renatus, who had been raised from the dead by Maurilius, was Bishop of Angers for some time shortly before 450, it bases its claims to credibility on a late life of Maurilius written in 905 by the deacon Archinald, and circulated under the name of Gregory of Tours, and it seems to have no real foundation.Duchesne, p. 351.
Thalassius, consecrated bishop in 453, has left a compendium of canon law, consisting of the decisions of the councils of the province of Tours;Claude Fleury (ed. J.H. Newman, and W. Kay), The Ecclesiastical History, from A.D. 429 to A.D. 456, (Oxford: J.H. Parker 1844), p. 424. Licinius (Lezin), a courtier and constable of King Chlothar I who appointed him Count of Anjou, was bishop from 586 to 616.Tresvaux I, pp. 57-59; 62-66. He is said to have died on 1 November 616, at the age of 65.
Berengarius, the heresiarch condemned for his doctrines on the Holy Eucharist, was Archdeacon of Angers about 1039, and for some time found a protector in the person of Eusebius Bruno, Bishop of Angers. Bernier, who played a great role in the wars of La Vendée and in the negotiations that led to the Concordat, was curé of St. Laud in Angers.[La Redaction], "Bérenger a répandu ses erreurs à Angers," , in: L'Anjou historique Vol. 2 (Angers 1901), pp. 3-17.
Among the Bishops of Angers in modern times were: Cardinal Jean Balue (1467) confined (1469–1480) by Louis XI, most of the time at Chinon, for his traitorous negotiations with Charles the BoldHenri Léon Joseph Forgeot, Jean Balue, cardinal d'Angers (1421?-1491) , (Paris: E. Bouillon 1895), pp. 96-97. Henri Arnauld (1649–1693), a Jansenist,Guy Arthaud, "Messire Henry Arnaud, évèque d'Angers," , in: L'Anjou historique Vol. 2 (1901), pp. 383-406; Vol. 3 (1902), pp. 3-31; Vol. 4 (1903), pp. 337-344; Vol. 5 (1904), pp. 245-258. Vol. 6 (1905), pp. 113-125, and pp. 337-353. and author of the controversial catechism for the dioceses of Angers, La Rochelle and Luçon (1676).Catéchisme ou Doctrine chrestienne imprimé par ordre de Messeigneurs les Evesques d'Angers, de la Rochelle et de Luçon, pour l'usage de leurs diocèses. (1676; second edition 1679). The catechisme was loaded with jansenist-leading statements. He also had published a large collection of the statutes of the diocese of Angers, from the 13th to the 17th century.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, , (Paris: Antoine Dezallier, 1680. Charles-Émile Freppel (1870–1891), who had a seat in the Chamber of Deputies, and warmly defended Catholic interests.Antoine Ricard, Monseigneur Freppel, (Paris: E. Dentu, 1892), pp. 103-136. François-Désiré Mathieu (1893–1896), cardinal of the Roman Curia and member of the French Academy.Edmond Renard, Le cardinal Mathieu: 1839-1908. Angers, Toulouse, Rome. La dernière crise de l'Église concordataire, (Paris: J. de Gigord, 1925). pp. 87-115.
Diocesan synods
A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, but important, meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See. John Paul II, Constitutio Apostolica de Synodis Dioecesanis Agendis (19 March 1997): Acta Apostolicae Sedis 89 (1997), pp. 706-727.
Bishop Nicolas Gellent (1260–1291) held diocesan synods, usually at Pentecost and/or the Feast of Saint Luke (October 18), in 1261, in 1262, in 1263, 1265, 1266, 1269, 1270, 1271, 1272, 1273, 1274, 1275, 1276, 1277, 1280, 1281, 1282, and 1291. Bishop Guillaume Le Maire (1291–1314) held synods in 1291, 1292, 1293, 1294, 1295, 1298, 1299, 1300, 1302, 1303, 1304, 1312, and 1314.Statuts du diocese d'Angers (Paris 1680), pp. 43-48. Bishop Foulques de Mathefelon (1324–1355) held diocesan synods in 1326, 1327, and 1328.Tresvaux, Vol. 1, p. 268. Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 124-130.
Bishop Jean Michel (1439–1447) held a diocesan synod at Pentecost 1442.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 131-133. Bishop Jean de Rely (1492–1499) presided at a diocesan synod in 1493.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 134-172.
A diocesan synod was held in 1499, under the auspices of Bishop François de Rohan (1499–1532), but presided over by his vicar-general; another was held in 1503, and again in 1504, 1505, 1507, 1508, 1509, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514, 1517, 1519, 1520, 1521, and 1523;Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 173-252. another was held at Pentecost in 1524, but presided over by his suffragan (or coadjutor), Bishop Jean Rouault of Rheon;C. Uzureau, "Les coadjuteurs des évêques d'Angers (XV et XVI° siècles)," in: L'Anjou historique 25 (Angers: Siraudeau 1925), p. 130. in 1525, 1526, 1527, and 1528.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 252-265. In 1533, 1534, 1535, 1536, 1537, and 1539, Bishop Jean Olivier (1532–1540) presided over a diocesan synod.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 253-280.Tresvaux, Vol. 1, pp. 340. Bishop Gabriel Bouvery (1540–1572) held synods in 1540, 1541, 1542, 1543, 1544, 1547, 1551, 1552, 1554, 1558, and 1564;Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 282-308. in 1565, he held a diocesan synod, warning pastors to reside in their parishes and carry out their canonical duties.Tresvaux, Vol. 1, p. 360. Bishop Guillaume Ruzé (1572–1587) held a diocesan synod at Pentecost 1586.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, p. 319. Vicars of Bishop-elect Charles Miron (1588–1616) held a diocesan synod in 1588, since he was only 18 years old when appointed in 1598,Tresvaux I, p. 378. and too young to be ordained a priest or bishop; other synods were held in 1589, in 1594 and in 1595, 1598 and 1600.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 320-338. The synod of 1600 was particularly vigorous, with 26 canons, calling for clerical residence in their benefices, requiring preachers to warn against attending Protestant services, and demanding better education for the clergy.Tresvaux, Vol. 1, pp. 389-390. Other synods were held in 1601, in 1605, in 1606, in 1610, in 1612, in 1613, in 1614, and in 1615.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 338-369.
Bishop Guillaume Fouquet (1616–1621) held a diocesan synod in 1617, and published extensive Statutes in French.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 370-406. Bishop Charles Miron (1622–1627) held a synod in October 1622.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 407-410. Two synods were held by Bishop Claude de Rueil (1628–1649), in 1634 and 1637.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 410-417.
Bishop Henri Arnauld (1650–1692) held a diocesan synod at Pentecost 1651. On each occasion of a synod, an address by the bishop ("Exhortation") preceded the publication of the statutes. All Arnaud's publications were in French.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 456-477. Another took place at Pentecost 1652. On 20 May 1652, Arnaud issued a separate ordonnance, forbidding residents of the diocese to enter taverns on Sunday, or to visit taverns and public fêtes on holy days while church services were in progress.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 478-489. He held another synod at Pentecost 1653, and at Pentecost 1654, the latter having 32 statutes.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 491-496; 517-536. On 12 June 1654, Bishop Arnaud published a decree forbidding dueling; his strong stand brought a letter of thanks and appreciation from King Louis XIV.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 537-542. Another synod was held at Pentecost 1655, producing 19 statutes, and another in 1656, and again in 1657 with 21 statutes.Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 568-586; 600-614. There was another synod at Pentecost 1658, in 1659, in 1660, in 1661, in 1662, in 1663 (which produced 7 statutes), in 1664, in 1665, in 1666, in 1667 (which produced 10 statutes), in 1668 (which produced 8 statutes), in 1669, in 1670 (which produced 2 statutes), in 1671, in 1672, in 1673, in 1674, in 1675, in 1676 (which produced 7 statutes), in 1677 (which produced 3 statutes), in 1678, and in 1679 (which produced 4 statutes).Statuts du diocese d'Angers, pp. 614-778.
Having returned from Paris, where he subscribed to a declaration of the French hierarchy in favor of Pope Clement XI's bull "Unigenitus", Bishop Michel Poncet de la Rivière (1706–1730) held a diocesan synod on 16 May 1714, in which he preached a powerful denunciation of Jansenism.Tresvaux II, pp. 260-262. He held another synod on 28 May 1721, in which he mourned the passing of Pope Clement XI, who was strongly anti-Jansenist.Tresvaux II, p. 277. Bishop Jean de Vaugirault (1731–1758), who had been Vicar-General of Angers, shortly after his appointment in January 1731 held a synod in which he re-enacted all the legislation of his predecessors. He was vigorously anti-Jansenist.Tresvaux II, pp. 292-294.
Bishop Guillaume-Laurent-Louis Angebault (1842–1869) held diocesan synods in Angers in 1859, on 24–26 September 1861, and in 1863.F. C. Uzureau, "Le chapitre de la cathédrale d'Angers avant la Révolution," , in: Andegaviana Volume 22 (Angers 1919), pp. 283-285.
A provincial council, presided over by Archbishop Jean Bernardi of Tours, was held in Angers from 1–17 August 1448. It issued a set of 17 canons, mostly concerned with clerical discipline. Bishop Jean de Beauvau of Angers (1447–1467) was not present.J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, , Vol. 32 (reprint: Paris: H. Welter 1902), pp. 75-94. Charles Joseph Hefele (ed. H. Leclercq), Histoire des conciles , Vol. VII, deuxième parte (Paris: Letouzey 1916), pp. 1201-1203.
Royal rights