William Pinchon

Guillaume Pinchon (c. 1175 - 29 July 1234) was a French Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of Saint-Brieuc from his appointment in 1220 until his death.[1] He was a champion for the poor and defended the rights and privileges of the Church against secular intervention though this was a cause for his exile from his diocese.[2] He returned not long after his exile and set himself on the construction of a new cathedral which was still in construction at the time he died.[2][3]


Guillaume Pinchon
Bishop of Saint-Brieuc
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
DioceseSaint-Brieuc
SeeSaint-Brieuc
Appointed1220
Term ended29 July 1234
PredecessorSylvestre
SuccessorPhilippe
Orders
Ordination1202 to 1206
by Josselin
Consecrationc. 1220
Personal details
Birth nameGuillaume Pinchon
Bornc. 1175
Saint-Alban, Kingdom of France
Died29 July 1234 (aged 59)
Saint-Brieuc, Kingdom of France
Sainthood
Feast day29 July
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Canonized24 March 1247
by Pope Innocent IV
AttributesEpiscopal attire
PatronageDiocese of Saint-Brieuc

His canonization was celebrated on 24 March 1247.[1]

Life

Tomb.

Guillaume Pinchon was born circa 1175 in Saint-Alban to the peasants Oliver Pinchon and Jane Fortin.[3][1]

He first studied in Saint-Brieuc where he received the minor orders and he served as an aide to three bishops - later his three immediate predecessors in the diocese.[2] He first served as a canon for the Tours Cathedral after Bishop Josselin ordained him to the priesthood.[3][1]

Pinchon was appointed as the Bishop of Saint-Brieuc in 1220. He was known for his staunch defense of Church rights against secular intervention and was a champion of the poor.[1] In 1225 he sold all his possessions in a famine to aid the poor and homeless. The duke Peter I forced him into a brief exile in 1228 and he spent that time living for a while in Poitiers before he returned to his diocese in 1230 after the duke reconciled with Pope Gregory IX. It was during his exile in Poitiers that he assisted the ill bishop there and helped him in his ecclesial duties.[2]

The bishop was noted for his meekness and for his self-mortifications. He slept on bare boards despite the poor making a soft and comfortable one for him and also borrowed corn often to help the poor who starved.[2]

He died in 1234 and his remains were later discovered in 1236 to be incorrupt. His relics were burned sometime during the French Revolution.[3]

Sainthood

Pope Innocent IV canonized Pinchon on 24 March 1247.

References

  1. "Saint William of Saint-Brieuc". Saints SQPN. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  2. "William of Saint-Brieuc, St". Encyclopedia.com. 2003. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  3. "St. William". New Advent. Retrieved 8 October 2017.


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