HERBIGNY, MICHAEL D’

Theologian, Orientalist; b. Lille, France, May 8, 1880; d. Aix-en-Provence, Dec. 24, 1957. He joined the Jesuits (1897), was ordained (1910), and became professor of Sacred Scripture and theology at the Jesuit scholasticate in Enghien, Belgium (1912–21), and director of graduate studies at the Gregorian University in Rome (1921–23). As president (1923–26) and then rector (1926–31) of the Pontifical Oriental Institute he developed greatly the school and its library, and founded its semiannual periodical Orientalia Christiana. His role in the foundation of the Pontifical Russian College in Rome (1929) was important. He was special consultor for the Congregation of the Oriental Church (1923–37) and a member of the Pontifical Commission for Russia from 1926. During his journeys to Russia he was politically indiscrete, but collected abundant documents, later published in articles or resounding tracts. His activity considerably alleviated suffering during the terrible Russian famine (1922–23). He became titular bishop of Ilium (1926) and assistant at the papal throne (1934), but poor health forced his retirement (1934). His numerous articles and books were devoted to theology, ecumenical apologetics, and contemporary history of Bolshevism. His principal work was Theologica de Ecclesia (2 v. 1920–21, 3d ed. 1928).

Bibliography: y. m. j. congar, Catholicisme 5:633. h. beylard, Dictionnaire de théologie catholique, Tables générales 2049–50.

[p. goubert]