BOURRET, ERNEST. - French historian and apologist, born at Lubro (Ardèche) in 1827, died at Rodez on 10 July 1896. He studied theology in Paris, but due to the revolution of 1848, he had to interrupt his studies and only graduated in 1857. In 1858 he also obtained a degree in Letters, and in 1863, after having held the position for two years, he became the titular professor of Ecclesiastical Law at the Sorbonne. In 1869 he participated in the First Vatican Council as theologian to the bishop of Saint-Périgueux. Appointed bishop of Rodez in 1871, he lived in that city until his death, despite having been created cardinal in 1893 and desiring a more important see.
Of wide erudition and prolific activity, B.’s work unfolded in three directions: pastoral, political, and literary. As a pastor, he is remembered for the entirely new approach he gave to diocesan life, bringing various religious orders into the diocese, fostering the recruitment and education of ecclesiastical vocations, and constructing many churches, schools, and charitable institutions. More than 380 Mandements, or ordinances, published during his episcopate also attest to his pastoral activity. In politics, B. was a practical advocate of rapprochement between Church and State in France. He demonstrated this stance both by maintaining cordial relations of friendship with some of the most representative figures of the Republic and by refraining from joining in 1891 Monsignor Gouthe-Soulard’s campaign against the government, as well as by discouraging in 1895 the agitation for the protection of certain rights of religious congregations. He was therefore accused of being a bishop sold to the government.
Of his vast literary output, many works remain unpublished; the following deserve particular mention: L’École chrétienne de Séville sous la monarchie des Visigoths (Paris 1855); Origine du pouvoir civil d’après st Thomas et Suarez (ibid. 1857); Essai historique et critique sur les sermons français de Gerson (ibid. 1858); Réponse aux principales attaques contre l’Église (1873); Du respect qui est du à la religion, à ses ministres et à ses institutions (1880).