The Archdiocese of Reims or Rheims (; French: Archidiocèse de Reims) is a Latin Church archdiocese of the Catholic Church in France. Established as a diocese around 250 by Bishop Sixtus, it was elevated to an archdiocese around 750. In 1089, the archbishop received the title "primate of Gallia Belgica".
In 1023, Archbishop Ebles acquired the County of Reims, becoming a prince-bishop. Between 1060 and 1170, it was elevated to a duchy and a peerage.
The archdiocese includes the arrondissement of Reims and the département of Ardennes. Its province covers the former région of Champagne-Ardenne. The suffragan dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Reims are: Amiens, Beauvais, Noyon, and Senlis, Châlons, Langres, Soissons, Laon, and Saint-Quentin, and Troyes.
The archepiscopal see is located at the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims, where the kings of France were traditionally crowned. As of 2022, the diocese had one priest for every 7,608 Catholics.
Pope Francis appointed Éric de Moulins-Beaufort as archbishop in 2018.
History
Reims was taken by the Vandals in 406.
According to Flodoard, on Holy Saturday, 497, Clovis was baptized and anointed by Archbishop Remigius of Reims in the cathedral of Reims.
In 719 the city took up arms against Charles Martel, who besieged the city, took it by assault, and devastated it.
In 816, Pope Stephen IV crowned Louis the Pious as Emperor at Reims.
On 28 January 893, Charles III "the Simple' was crowned King of West Francia at Reims.
King Robert I was consecrated and crowned 'Rex Francorum' at Saint-Remi in Reims on 29 June 922 by Archbishop Hervée.The Annals of Flodoard of Reims, 916–966, eds & trans. Steven Fanning: Bernard S. Bachrach (New York; Ontario, Can: University of Toronto Press, 2011), pp. 6–7. Regnault, Histoire des sacres et couronnemens de nos rois..., pp. 50–52.
Hugh Capet was crowned at Reims on Christmas Day 988, by Archbishop Adalberon. In 990 the city was attacked by Charles of Lorraine, the rival of Hugues Capet, who seized the city and devastated the area.
In 1801, the archdiocese was suppressed by the Concordat of 1801 and its territory were divided between the diocese of Meaux (department of Marne) and Metz (department of Ardennes).
In 1822, the diocese of Reims was reestablished, with the territory once again restored, including the department of Marne and the department of Ardennes.
Councils of Reims The First Council of Reims took place in 625, under the presidency of Archbishop Sonnatius. It produced at least twenty-five canons.C. J. Hefele, A History of the Councils of the Church Volume IV (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark 1895), pp. 444–447.
In 1049, from 3 to 5 October, a Council of the Church took place at Reims under the presidency of Pope Leo IX, with twenty bishops and some fifty abbots in attendance. The Pope was in Reims for the dedication of the church of the monastery of Saint-Rémi, in fulfilment of a promise made to Abbot Herimar.J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIX, pp. 727–746. C. J. Hefele, Histoire des conciles Tome VI (Paris: Adrien Le Clerc 1871), pp. 299–312.
Cathedral chapter In 1657, the chapter of the Cathedral of Reims contained nine dignities and sixty-four canons.Ritzler, V, p. 332, note 1. The dignities included the major archdeacon (Archdeacon of Reims), the minor archdeacon (Archdeacon of Champagne), the provost,Gallia christiana IX, pp. 165–172. The provost was appointed by the archbishop. the dean,Gallia christiana IX, pp. 171–176. The dean was elected by the chapter. the cantor, the treasurer, the vicedominus, the scholasticus, and the poenitentiarius.The "Pouille of 1362" names the dignities, and also states that there were sixty-four prebends: Longdon, p. 55. The canons were appointed by the archbishop. Pouille general, pp. 1–2. Gallia christiana IX, pp. 163–164. There were also a number of collegiate churches in the diocese, whose clergy were led by canons: Saint-Symphorien in Reims (a dean and 20 prebends); Saint-Timothée in Reims (12 prebends); Saint-Côme in Reims (4 prebends); Sainte-Nourrice in Reims (11 prebends); Saint-Pierre aux Dames in Reims (4 prebends); Mézières (a dean, a treasurer and 12 prebends); Braux (12 prebends); Montfaucon (a provost and canons); and Avenay (6 prebends).Longdon, pp. 56–57.
The two archdeacons were already in existence in 877, when they are mentioned at the head of the Capitulations issued by Archbishop Hincmar. They were both appointees of the archbishop.Longdon, p. xiii.
In addition to the right to nominate the archbishop of Reims (since the Concordat of Bologna in 1516), the King enjoyed the right to name the abbot of Haut-Villiers (O.S.B.), Sainte-Baste (O.S.B.), Mouson (O.S.B.), Saint-Nicaise de Reims (O.S.B.), Saint-Pierre-de-Reims (O.S.B.), Saint-Remi de Reims (O.S.B.), Saint-Thierry lez Reims (O.S.B.), Chery (O.Cist.), Elem (O.Cist.), Igny (O.Cist.), Signy (O.Cist.), Vau-le-Roy (O.Cist.), Saint-Denis-de-Reims (O.S.A.), Esparnay-sur-Marne (O.S.A.), Belle-Val (Praemonst.), Chaumont en Porcien (Praemonst.), Sept Fontaines (Praemonst.), and Vau-Dieu (Praemonst.).Pouille Royal (1648), pp. 136–137.
Bishops and archbishops
Bishops of Reims
St. SixtusSixtus: Flodoard Canon of Reims (894–966) states that Sixtus was consecrated Archbishop by Saint Peter the Apostle and head of the Church, and sent along with his friends Sinicius and Memmius. Flodoard, "Historia ecclesiae Remensis", Book I, chapter 3, in: J. P. Migne (ed.), Patrologiae Latinae Tomus CXXXV (Paris 1853), p. 32. Fisquet, pp. 5–6. Duchesne, p. 80, no. 1. (c. 260) St. Sinicius (Sinice)Fisquet, p. 6. Duchesne, p. 80, no. 2. (c. 280) St. Amantius (Amanse)Fisquet, pp. 6–7. Duchesne, p. 81, no. 3. (c. 290) ImbetausiusImbertus: Fisquet, p. 7. C. Munier, Concilia Galliae, A. 314 – A. 506 (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), p. 14 line 37: Inbetausius episcopus, Primigenius diaconus, de civitate Remorum. Duchesne, p. 81, no. 4. (before 300–c. 314) Aprus (Aper)Aper: Fisquet, p. 7. Duchesne, p. 81, no. 5. (328–350) MaternianusMaternianus: Fisquet, pp. 7–8. Duchesne, p. 81, no. 6. (350–359) DonatianusDonatianus: Fisquet, p. 8. Duchesne, p. 81, no. 7. (361–390) ViventiusViventius: Fisquet, p. 8. Duchesne, p. 81, no. 8. (390–394) SeverusSeverus: Fisquet, p. 8. Duchesne, p. 81, no. 9. (394–400) Nicasius of RheimsNicasius killed by the Vandals or Huns, either in 407 or 451. He founded the first cathedral. Fisquet, p. 9. Duchesne, p. 81, no. 10. (probably 400–407 but perhaps ?-451) BaruciusBarucius: Duchesne, p. 81, no. 11-12. BarnabasBarnabas: Duchesne, p. 81, no. 13. BennagiusBennagius: Duchesne, p. 81, no. 14. (?–459) Saint Remigius (Remi)Remigius: Fisquet, pp. 10–17. Duchesne, pp. 81–82, no. 15. (459–533) RomanusFisquet, pp. 17–18. (c. 533–535) FlaviusFlavius was present in 535 at the Council of Auvergne (Clermont). C. De Clercq, Concilia Galliae, A. 511 – A. 695 (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), p. 111: Flavus in Christi nomine episcopus ecclesiae Reminse. Duchesne, p. 82, no. 17. (c. 535) MappinusFisquet, p. 18. (c. 549) EgidiusFisquet, pp. 19–22. (573–590)Ivan Gobry, Clotaire II, (Pygmalion, 2005) RomulphFisquet, p. 22. (590–613) SonnatiusSonnatius had been Archdeacon of Reims before his elevation to the episcopacy. Fisquet, pp. 22–23. (613–c. 627) LeudigisilLeudegisilus is known from Flodoard, Historia ecclesiae Remensis, Book II, chapter 6, where he is made a contemporary of King Dagobert, who died in 639. Duchesne, p. 84, no. 22. AngelbertAngelbertus is known from Flodoard, Historia ecclesiae Remensis, Book II, chapter 6. Duchesne, p. 84, no. 23. (c. 630) LandoLando is known from Flodoard, Historia ecclesiae Remensis, Book II, chapter 6. Duchesne, p. 84, no. 24. NivardNivardus (or Nivo) is attested in 657, 664, 667, and 673. Duchesne, p. 84, no. 23. (before 657–673) ReolusReolus had been Count of Champagne before becoming Archbishop. He is attested in 674, 678, and 687. Duchesne, p. 85, no. 26. (673–c. 689) RigobertRigobertus was exiled to Gascony by Charles Martel in 717. Duchesne, pp. 85–86, no. 27 (c. 689 – after 720) Milo (715–744) AbelDuchesne, p. 86, no. 28. (c. 743/744–748)
Archbishops of Reims
To 1000
TilpinIn legend, Tilpinus became the Turpin of the Chanson de Roland. Before his elevation, Tulpin had been a monk and Treasurer of Saint-Denis. Duchesne, pp. 86–87, no. 29. (748–795) vacant (795–812)Hincmar of Reims says that Charlemagne left the See of Reims vacant for nine years. Duchesne, p. 87. Wulfaire (812–816) Ebbo (816–835) vacantArchbishop Ebo was deposed at the Council of Thionville on 4 March 835 because of his participation in the revolt of the sons of the Emperor Louis the Pious. He was rehabilitated by Lothair at the Council of Engelheim in August 840. J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIV (Venice 1769), pp. 773–780. Duchesne, p. 87. (835–840) Ebbo (840–841), again vacant (841–845) Hincmar (845–882) Fulk the Venerable (882–900) HervaeusHervée was the son of Ursus, Count of Champagne. He was consecrated on 6 July 900 by Riculfus, Bishop of Soissons. He consecrated King Robert I of France at Saint-Remi in Reims on 29 June 922. Fisquet, pp. 49–52. (900–922) Seulf (922–925) Hugh of VermandoisHugh was the son of Herbert II of Vermandois, who had taken Charles the Simple a prisoner and seized the ecclesiastical principality of Reims. It was an easy task to have his son elected Archbishop. (925–931) Artaud (931–940) Hugh of Vermandois (940–946), again Artaud (946–961), again Odelric (962–969) AdalberonM. Bur, "Adalbéron, archévêque de Reims reconsidéré," in: M. Parisse and X. Barral i Altet (edd.), Le roi de France et son royaume autour de l' an mil: Actes du colloque, Hugues Capet 987-1987 (Paris 1992), 55–63. (969–988) Arnoul (988–991; son of Lothair of France) Gerbert of Aurillac (991–996); later Pope Sylvester II Arnoul (996–1021), again
1000–1300
Ebles I of Roucy (1021–1033; count of Roucy, count of Reims, 1023–1033) Guy of Châtillon (1033–1055) Gervaise of Bellême Fisquet, pp. 72–74. (1055–1067) Manasses IManasses de Gournay, not the son of Manasses le Chauve, Vidame de Reims. He purchased the Archbishopric. In 1077, after many complaints, Gregory VII ordered his Apostolic Legate Hugues de Die to conduct an inquiry. Manasses was summoned to the Council of Autun, but he did not appear, and was suspended from his functions. He appealed to Pope Gregory, who ordered Hugues de Die and Abbot Hugues of Cluny to investigate further. Manasses was summoned to the Council of Lyon in 1078 to demonstrate his innocence, but instead he attempted to bribe Bishop Hugues to make a favorable report to the Pope. He was deposed in 1080, and Pope Gregory approved the sentence. Manasses died in Rome in 1092. Fisquet, pp. 74–76. (1069–1080) Renaud du BellayRenaud was the son of Bellay III, Seigneur de Montreuil. His widowed mother married Geoffrey Martel, Comte d'Anjou. Renaud had been Treasurer of Saint-Martin-de-Tours and Archdeacon of Reims. Shortly after his election at Terracina on 12 March 1088, Pope Urban II, who had been a Canon of Reims, invited Archbishop Renaud to Italy to discuss the problems of the French church; he returned in 1090. In 1092 he presided at the Council of Soissons. On 20 March 1093, he held another Council at Reims, which received complaints against the Count of Flanders, who was seizing the property of deceased clerics. Another Council was held at Reims between 17 and 20 September 1094, attended by twenty-three bishops. He also subscribed the acts of the Council of Soissons (Mont-Saint-Marie) in 1095, and he was present at the celebrated Council of Clermont in November 1095. He died on 21 January 1096. Fisquet, pp. 76–78. (1083–1096) Manasses II (1096–1106)