GOUSSET, THOMAS-MARIE-JOSEPH. - Cardinal, born at Montigny-les-Cherbien on 19 May 1792, died at Reims on 22 December 1866. After his ordination he became professor of dogmatic theology and later of moral theology at the Seminary of Besançon (1818). In 1831 he was appointed vicar general of the diocese, bishop of Périgueux in 1836, and archbishop of Reims in 1840. There he restored the Roman liturgy and held provincial synods in 1848, 1853, and 1857. A victorious opponent of rigorism and ardent promoter of the anti-Gallican reaction in France, he was created cardinal by Pius IX in 1858 in recognition of his outstanding merits. 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 it gave in France to the dissemination of St. Alphonsus’ *Theologia moralis*. The work had been preceded by *Justificatio de la théologie morale du b. A. M. De Ligorio* (2nd ed., Besançon 1832). Other works on moral theology include: *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., 1848, 1856); *Exposition des principes du droit canonique* (1875, written to refute Gallican theories); *Du droit de l'Eglise touchant la possession des biens destinés au culte et la souveraineté temporelle du pape* (1876, which collects patristic testimonies and synodal decrees); *La croyance générale et constante de l'Eglise touchant l'Immaculée Conception de la Bienheureuse Vierge Marie* (1875).