GOUSSET, THOMAS-MARIE-JOSEPH. - Cardinal, b. at Montigny-les-Cherbien on 1 May 1792, d. at Reims on 22 Dec. 1866. Ordained a priest, he was professor of dogmatic theology and then of moral theology at the Seminary of Besançon (1818). He became vicar general of the diocese in 1831, bishop of Périgueux in 1836 and archbishop of Reims in 1840. There he restored the Roman liturgy and held the provincial Synod in 1848, 1853 and 1857. A victorious opponent of rigorism and an ardent promoter of the anti-Gallican reaction in France, for his distinguished merits he was created cardinal by Pius XI in 1858. He founded a literary academy and a rich library for the use of the clergy.
Among his works, the Théologie morale (2 vols., Paris 1844) is of great importance, for the new direction given in France through the dissemination of the Theologia moralis of St. Alphonsus. The work had been prepared by the Justification de la théologie morale du b. A. M. De Ligorio (2nd ed., Besançon 1832). Also of interest for moral theology are his two other works: Exposition sur la doctrine sur le prêt à l'intérêt (Reims 1824); Le code civil commenté dans ses rapports avec la théologie morale (Paris 1827).
He also wrote: Concilia Remensia (Reims 1842); Théologie dogmatique ou exposition des preuves et des dogmes de la religion catholique (2 vols., ibid. 1848, 1856); Exposition des principes du droit canonique (ibid. 1859, written to refute Gallican theories); Du droit de l'Église touchant la possession des biens destinés au culte et la souveraineté temporelle du pape (ibid. 1862, an erudite compilation from patristic testimonies and synodal decrees); La croyance générale et constante de l'Église touchante l'Immaculée Conception de la Bienheureuse V. Marie (ibid. 1855).
Bibliography3 works
Pietro Palazzini