PERRAUD (Adolphe Louis Albert) - Lot 131

PERRAUD (Adolphe Louis Albert) Lyon, February 7, 1828 - Autun, February 10, 1906. Oratorian, bishop of Autun, cardinal, ecclesiastical historian and member of the Académie française. Important L.A.S. "† Adolphe Louis, évêque d'Autun", Autun, February 1, 1877; 8 pages in-8 on embossed paper with his coat of arms. A long and remarkable letter of religious and apologetic reflection, of exceptional doctrinal interest, in which Perraud develops his thoughts on the relationship between faith, Church authority, free examination and modern society. Addressing a correspondent in the throes of spiritual and intellectual questioning, he first discusses his own state of health and ministry, before entering into an in-depth theological discussion. He is delighted to learn of "the step you have taken quite well", and understands that it constitutes "the prelude to the more decisive step you seem to me to be preparing for". The letter goes on to address the great doctrinal difficulties of the time: "Some relate to fundamental dogmas and the very essence of Christianity; others concern the Church's relationship with modern society". Perraud then sets out with precision a method of reflection based on the detailed study of objections and their confrontation with a higher principle: "The reading and meditation of Scripture seem to me to put above all doubt [...] the divinity of Jesus Christ". The whole is a veritable apologetic meditation on religious certainty, ecclesiastical authority and the doctrinal permanence of Catholicism in the face of modern trends. In particular, he discusses the Syllabus and the Vatican Council, political-theological issues, and the accusations levelled against the Church by contemporary liberalism. A very fine passage on the need to distinguish between the possible error of men and the permanence of the ecclesial institution: "But being persuaded that Jesus Christ is God - that he founded a Church - that this Church is the Catholic Church - I have nothing wiser to do". Perraud also quotes St. John in Latin, and develops a reflection of great intellectual density on the search for truth and the adherence of the will: "This great advantage of not deferring the fundamental adherence of the will to what the soul judges to be true". His conclusion is full of pastoral and family concern, in which he recommends the correspondent and his children "to the Lord". A superb document illustrating the religious and intellectual debates in French Catholicism after Vatican I, at a time of great tension between the Church and modern liberal ideas. Very fine autograph signature: "† Adolphe Louis, évêque d'Autun". Fine condition. Important doctrinal and spiritual testimony.