Roman Catholic Cardinal. A native of Lyon, Clément Villecourt studied at the local lyceum and seminary, being ordained priest on December 21, 1811. Named vicar of Saint-Chamond and later of Roanne-en-Forez, he was appointed pastor of Bagnols-en-Lyonnais in 1815 and later pastor of Saint-François de Sales. Chaplain of several hospitals, he served as superior of the seminary of Lyon. Moving to the diocese of Meaux in 1823 as canon theologian of its cathedral chapter, he went on to serve as superior of the auxiliary priests, vicar general and superior of the major seminary. Preacher of various pastoral retreats held across several French dioceses, he was transferred to the archdiocese of Sens in 1832, being appointed its vicar general in 1835, and as such, superior of all the religious houses. Elected bishop of the diocese of La Rochelle on February 1, 1836, he received his episcopal consecration on the following March 13 inside the cathedral of Sens. A good administrator, he entered into sharp polemics with the Protestants and possessing an ultramontane passion, he supported without reservation the intransigence of Pope Pius IX, openly criticizing the Italian policy of Napoleon III. Named assistant at the Pontifical Throne on June 20, 1843, the named Pontiff created him cardinal priest in the consistory of December 17, 1855 with the title of San Pancrazio fuori le mura. Resigning the pastoral government of his see on June 7, 1856, he resided in the Roman Curia for his remaining years, being laid to rest in his title upon his death in 1867.
Roman Catholic Cardinal. A native of Lyon, Clément Villecourt studied at the local lyceum and seminary, being ordained priest on December 21, 1811. Named vicar of Saint-Chamond and later of Roanne-en-Forez, he was appointed pastor of Bagnols-en-Lyonnais in 1815 and later pastor of Saint-François de Sales. Chaplain of several hospitals, he served as superior of the seminary of Lyon. Moving to the diocese of Meaux in 1823 as canon theologian of its cathedral chapter, he went on to serve as superior of the auxiliary priests, vicar general and superior of the major seminary. Preacher of various pastoral retreats held across several French dioceses, he was transferred to the archdiocese of Sens in 1832, being appointed its vicar general in 1835, and as such, superior of all the religious houses. Elected bishop of the diocese of La Rochelle on February 1, 1836, he received his episcopal consecration on the following March 13 inside the cathedral of Sens. A good administrator, he entered into sharp polemics with the Protestants and possessing an ultramontane passion, he supported without reservation the intransigence of Pope Pius IX, openly criticizing the Italian policy of Napoleon III. Named assistant at the Pontifical Throne on June 20, 1843, the named Pontiff created him cardinal priest in the consistory of December 17, 1855 with the title of San Pancrazio fuori le mura. Resigning the pastoral government of his see on June 7, 1856, he resided in the Roman Curia for his remaining years, being laid to rest in his title upon his death in 1867.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
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