PERRAUD (Adolphe Louis Albert) - Lot 133

PERRAUD (Adolphe Louis Albert) Lyon, February 7, 1828 - Autun, February 10, 1906. Oratorian, bishop of Autun, cardinal and ecclesiastical historian. Important L.A.S. "† Adolphe Louis, évêque d'Autun", Autun, January 1, 1876; 4 pages in-8 on embossed paper with his coat of arms. Long and remarkable doctrinal letter devoted to questions of freedom of conscience, freedom of worship and religious tolerance, in the context of the Catholic debates sparked by the Syllabus and the ultramontane controversies of the second half of the 19th century. Perraud responded to a correspondent concerned about the compatibility of Catholic doctrine and modern freedoms. He forcefully asserts that the Church has not changed its doctrine: "the Church's doctrine on these grave questions [...] has changed absolutely nothing in the teaching given by the Church". The prelate develops a nuanced reflection on the relationship between religious truth, error and civil liberty. He carefully distinguishes between the doctrinal level and the practical or political level: "Error has no more right to be than evil" ; but he immediately adds: "in fact, historically, there may be reasons not to hinder those who profess error and to grant them civil tolerance". A very interesting passage on the notion of modus vivendi and the coexistence of confessions in modern states: "this tolerance [...] is a modus vivendi which circumstances advise us to adopt". Perraud also insists on the Church's doctrinal permanence: "never has the teaching of the Church varied; never can it vary". Together, these works provide a first-rate account of the intellectual and theological debates in French Catholicism after Vatican I, at a time when the notions of popular sovereignty, freedom of worship and the relationship between the Church and modern society were the subject of lively controversy. A fine letter of high doctrinal quality, written in precise, elegant language, revealing the conciliatory and intellectual temperament of the future Cardinal Perraud. Very good condition.