QUELEN, HYACINTHE LOUIS DE

Archbishop of Paris; b. Paris, Oct. 8, 1778; d. Paris, Dec. 31, 1839. The scion of a noble family from Brittany, he entered the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice in 1801. After ordination at Saint-Brieuc (1807), he returned to Paris and was assigned to the Grande Aumônerie, whose titular was Cardinal Joseph Fesch. Appointed vicar-general of the Grande Aumônerie (December 1814), he carried on negotiations for a new concordat with the Holy See. In 1817 he was named auxiliary bishop of Paris, and in 1819, coadjutor with the right of succession. When Cardinal Talleyrand-Périgord died (Oct. 20, 1821), Quelen became archbishop of Paris. He reorganized the Semi-naries, initiated the practice of ecclesiastical retreats, and ordered the preaching of missions in parishes. He was elected a member of the French Academy (1824). The Revolution of July 1830 was hostile to him because of his relations with the fallen Bourbon dynasty. He was forced into hiding for several months, during which time his episcopal residence was partially demolished. The riot of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois (February 1831) was partly directed against him. It culminated with an almost complete rupture between him and the government of Louis Philippe. From temporary residence in various convents, Quelen continued to administer his diocese. In 1832 he demonstrated his courage by visiting persons suffering from cholera. He later founded an orphanage. In 1834 he organized religious conferences at Notre Dame Cathedral, and in 1835 he placed lacordaire in charge of them. He encouraged devotion to the miraculous medal and to Our Lady of Victories. He published several works on the administration of the Sacraments and several funeral orations.

Bibliography: p. i. b. d'exauvillez, Vie de Mgr. de Quélen, archevêque de Paris, 2 v. (Paris 1840). m. r. a. henrion, Vie et travaux apostoliques de Mgr. Hyacinthe Louis de Quélen (Paris 1840). r. limouzin-lamothe, Monseigneur de Quelen … 2 v. (Paris 1955–57). L'Épiscopat français depuis le concordat jusqu'à la séparation 1802–1905 (Paris 1907) 453–456.

[r. limouzin-lamothe]