HARLAY DE CHAMPVALLON, François de. - French prelate, b. 14 Aug. 1625 in Paris, d. 6 Aug. 1695 at Conflans. Archbishop of Rouen in 1651, he was transferred in 1671 to the see of Paris.
A skilled orator and preacher, of ambitious character, a polished courtier, steeped in Gallican ideas, he was a person particularly pleasing to Louis XIV. He presided over the Assembly of the French clergy in 1681, which drew up the four Gallican articles. He was always deeply opposed to papal authority. He maintained that a bishop, once confirmed by the pope, could act within his diocese in whatever manner seemed most fitting, without having to render an account to the bishop of Rome.
BIBL.: Pastor, XIV, V. indice; V. GALLICANESIMO. Silvio Furlani.
