Hugh of Châteauneuf
Encyclopedia
Saint Hugh of Châteauneuf (1053 – 1 April 1132) was the Bishop of Grenoble from 1080 to his death. He was a partisan of the Gregorian reform
and opposed to Guy of Burgundy, Archbishop of Vienne, later Pope as Callistus II.
Born at Châteauneuf-sur-Isère
, Hugh showed piety and theological facility from a young age. While still a layman, Hugh was made a canon
of Valence
. His piety was such that it was said of him that he only knew one woman by sight.
At the Council of Avignon
in 1080, he was elected bishop of Grenoble
, though he was not yet ordained. The see of Grenoble had fallen into a very poor state, and Hugh was selected to be its Gregorian renovator. Conducted by a papal legate
to Rome
, Hugh was ordained by Pope Gregory VII
himself. Upon his return, he immediately set to the task of reforming the abuses in his new diocese.
When he had succeeded in countering abuse and fostering devotion after two years, he tried to resign his bishopric and enter the Benedictine monastery at Cluny
. However, the Pope ordered him to continue his episcopal work.
For the rest of the eleventh century, his episcopate was marked by strife with Guigues III of Albon
over the possession of ecclesiastic lands in the Grésivaudan
. Hugh alleged that the count of Albon had usurped the lands from the bishopric of Grenoble with the help of Bishop Mallen. To reinforce what he judged to be his right, Hugh fabricated a story of the Bishop Isarn
reconquering by arms the diocese of Grenoble from the hands of the Saracens. That was the object of the preamble to a series of documents designed to establish the right of the diocese over those lands, documents known as the "Cartularies of Saint Hugh." An accord was finally reached between Hugh and Guigues only in 1099. Guigues agreed to cede the disputed territories while Hugh admitted to the count's temporal authority within the vicinity of Grenoble.
Hugh was also instrumental in the foundation of the Carthusian Order. He received Bruno of Cologne
, perhaps his own teacher, and six of his companions in 1084, after seeing them under a banner of seven stars in a dream. Hugh installed the seven in a snowy and rocky Alpine location called Chartreuse
. They founded a monastery and devoted their lives to prayer and study, being oft visited by Hugh, who was reported to adopt much of their way of life.
Hugh was canonised on 22 April 1134 by Pope Innocent II
, only two years after his death. His feast day is on 1 April in the Roman Catholic Church
. During the Wars of Religion
, his body was burned by the Huguenots. The Roman Catholic parish of Sarsfield, Ontario
, has borne his name since 1896.
Gregorian Reform
The Gregorian Reforms were a series of reforms initiated by Pope Gregory VII and the circle he formed in the papal curia, circa 1050–80, which dealt with the moral integrity and independence of the clergy...
and opposed to Guy of Burgundy, Archbishop of Vienne, later Pope as Callistus II.
Born at Châteauneuf-sur-Isère
Châteauneuf-sur-Isère
Châteauneuf-sur-Isère is a commune in the Drôme department in southeastern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Hugh showed piety and theological facility from a young age. While still a layman, Hugh was made a canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of Valence
Valence, Drôme
Valence is a commune in southeastern France, the capital of the Drôme department, situated on the left bank of the Rhône, south of Lyon on the railway to Marseilles.Its inhabitants are called Valentinois...
. His piety was such that it was said of him that he only knew one woman by sight.
At the Council of Avignon
Council of Avignon
Council of Avignon may refer to one of a number of councils of the Roman Catholic Church, held in Avignon.-Eleventh century:Nothing is known of the council held there in 1060....
in 1080, he was elected bishop of Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
, though he was not yet ordained. The see of Grenoble had fallen into a very poor state, and Hugh was selected to be its Gregorian renovator. Conducted by a papal legate
Papal legate
A papal legate – from the Latin, authentic Roman title Legatus – is a personal representative of the pope to foreign nations, or to some part of the Catholic Church. He is empowered on matters of Catholic Faith and for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters....
to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Hugh was ordained by Pope Gregory VII
Pope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
himself. Upon his return, he immediately set to the task of reforming the abuses in his new diocese.
When he had succeeded in countering abuse and fostering devotion after two years, he tried to resign his bishopric and enter the Benedictine monastery at Cluny
Cluny
Cluny or Clungy is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France. It is 20 km northwest of Mâcon.The town grew up around the Benedictine Cluny Abbey, founded by Duke William I of Aquitaine in 910...
. However, the Pope ordered him to continue his episcopal work.
For the rest of the eleventh century, his episcopate was marked by strife with Guigues III of Albon
Guigues III of Albon
Guigues le Vieux, count of Albon, called Guigues III was the first Count of Albon from 1079, when the County of Vienne, then in the possession of the Archdiocese of Vienne, was divided between him and Humbert I of Savoy, who received Maurienne.He was the son of Guigues II of Albon and Adelaide of...
over the possession of ecclesiastic lands in the Grésivaudan
Grésivaudan
The Grésivaudan is a valley of the French Alps, situated mostly in the Isère. Etymologically, Graisivaudan comes from roots meaning "Grenoble" and "valley". It comprises the alluvial plain of the Isère River from Grenoble to the confluence of the Arc; or, more recently, the entire valley of the...
. Hugh alleged that the count of Albon had usurped the lands from the bishopric of Grenoble with the help of Bishop Mallen. To reinforce what he judged to be his right, Hugh fabricated a story of the Bishop Isarn
Isarn, Bishop of Grenoble
Isarn was the Bishop of Grenoble from 950 until his death in 976. During the reign of Conrad the Peaceful he was instrumental in re-asserting Christian political authority in the south of the Kingdom of Burgundy, overrun by Saracens, and in restoring the shattered Church in the region...
reconquering by arms the diocese of Grenoble from the hands of the Saracens. That was the object of the preamble to a series of documents designed to establish the right of the diocese over those lands, documents known as the "Cartularies of Saint Hugh." An accord was finally reached between Hugh and Guigues only in 1099. Guigues agreed to cede the disputed territories while Hugh admitted to the count's temporal authority within the vicinity of Grenoble.
Hugh was also instrumental in the foundation of the Carthusian Order. He received Bruno of Cologne
Bruno of Cologne
Saint Bruno of Cologne , the founder of the Carthusian Order, personally founded the order's first two communities...
, perhaps his own teacher, and six of his companions in 1084, after seeing them under a banner of seven stars in a dream. Hugh installed the seven in a snowy and rocky Alpine location called Chartreuse
Grande Chartreuse
Grande Chartreuse is the head monastery of the Carthusian order. It is located in the Chartreuse Mountains, north of the city of Grenoble, in the commune of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse , France. Originally, the château belonged to the See of Grenoble...
. They founded a monastery and devoted their lives to prayer and study, being oft visited by Hugh, who was reported to adopt much of their way of life.
Hugh was canonised on 22 April 1134 by Pope Innocent II
Pope Innocent II
Pope Innocent II , born Gregorio Papareschi, was pope from 1130 to 1143, and was probably one of the clergy in personal attendance on the antipope Clement III .-Early years:...
, only two years after his death. His feast day is on 1 April in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. During the Wars of Religion
French Wars of Religion
The French Wars of Religion is the name given to a period of civil infighting and military operations, primarily fought between French Catholics and Protestants . The conflict involved the factional disputes between the aristocratic houses of France, such as the House of Bourbon and House of Guise...
, his body was burned by the Huguenots. The Roman Catholic parish of Sarsfield, Ontario
Sarsfield, Ontario
Sarsfield, Ontario is a village in the east portion of the City of Ottawa in the former township of Cumberland.The first residents of Sarsfield were mostly French-Canadians from Lower Canada. In 1854, families began to establish in the Sarsfield region, such as the Potvin's, the St-Denis', the...
, has borne his name since 1896.