He first served as a lawyer at the Court of Appeal in Paris and as a diplomat. After ordination to the priesthood, he became director of the minor seminary at Orléans, then of that at Paris.
Bishop of Marseilles in 1866, on the eve of the Vatican Council, his Gallican leanings led him to oppose the definition of papal infallibility. The clergy, who favoured the definition, addressed a letter to the Pope complaining that «prevailing circumstances seemed likely to force the priests of the diocese of Marseilles to maintain a silence most painful to their hearts». When Place learned of the letter, he reproached its authors for having slandered him before the Holy See and for having approached the Pope without his mediation. Once infallibility had been proclaimed by the Council, the bishop addressed his diocesans on 4 Aug. 1870, declaring that in order to preserve the peace of the Church and to remain faithful to his duty, it was necessary that «these constitutions be accepted by all his children with docility, respect, and submission». Upon the death of Cardinal De Bonald in 1870, Place was offered the archbishopric of Lyons, but he declined it; likewise unsuccessful were the attempts of the Archbishop of Paris, Guibert, to secure him as coadjutor. On 15 July 1878 Leo XIII named him Archbishop of Rennes. The new archbishop completely reorganized his diocese, but his authoritarian character brought him into conflict with part of the clergy and laity in the so-called «Oratory affair». In the Consistory of 7 June 1886 he was created cardinal. In April 1890 Place went to Rome at the invitation of Leo XIII, who wished to use his assistance in clarifying the attitude of French Catholics towards the Third Republic.
SILVIO FURLANI