MATHIAS-CHARLES CHARDON. Benedictine theologian of the Congregation of St-Vanne in Verdun, born at Yvoi-Carignan (Ardennes) on 22 September 1695, died in the abbey of St Arnold at Metz on 21 October 1771. Proficient in biblical languages (Greek, Hebrew and Syriac), he taught rhetoric, philosophy and theology at Noviant-aux-Moines and for a time was also master of novices; however, in 1730, on account of his opposition to the bull Unigenitus, the General Chapter held at Toul deprived him of all office. Of stern character, he was an admirer of Jansenist spirituality, whose theories he did not conceal his sympathy for.
As a scholar, he wove the history of sacramental errors from their origins to his own time, refuting them admirably from the historical standpoint. His works include: *Histoire des Sacrements ou de la manière dont ils ont été célébrés et administrés dans l'église et de l'usage qu'on en a fait depuis les temps des apôtres jusqu'à présent* (6 vols., Paris 1745; Italian trans., Verona 1754, Brescia 1758, Capolago 1835), included by Migne in the *Cursus Theologiae*, XX (Paris 1840), cols. 1-1152.