Amette, Léon-Adolphe

AMETTE, LÉON-ADOLPHE. - Cardinal, born at Douville (Evreux) on 6 September 1850, died at Antony (Paris) on 29 August 1920. He began his studies at the seminary of Evreux and continued them at that of St. Sulpice in Paris. Ordained a priest in 1873, he was vicar of the cathedral of Evreux, episcopal secretary, titular canon, vicar general and archpriest of Pont-Audemer. In 1898 he was appointed bishop of Bayeux, and in the consistory of 21 February 1906, while the religious struggle was raging in France, Pius X promoted him titular archbishop, assigning him as coadjutor, with the right of succession, to Cardinal Richard, archbishop of Paris, whom he succeeded in 1908. In 1911 he was created cardinal of the title of St. Sabina. Amette's strong personality made itself felt in the French metropolis, all the more so because during the war of 1914-18 he gave proof of enlightened patriotism and love of country. In the course of his episcopate he erected more than fifty parishes and not a few subsidiary churches, and he worked for the reconciliation of the Holy See with the French government, which culminated in the normal resumption of diplomatic relations.

Mario De Camilla