Committee:

Philip G. Nord, adviser
Harold James
Edward Baring
Carol Harrison, University of South Carolina

Abstract:

The July Revolution of 1830 marked a pivotal moment for French Catholicism, ending Bourbon rule and initiating a period of significant adaptation and challenge. This dissertation reevaluates the relationship between French Catholicism and modernity from 1830 to 1870, contesting the traditional view of the Church as solely reactionary to the political, economic, and social advancements of the era. Utilizing a range of primary sources, including ecclesiastical records, Catholic periodicals, and writings from both laypeople and clergy, it examines how Catholics from diverse backgrounds envisioned and pursued competing "Catholic futures" in a rapidly evolving world.

The dissertation is divided into five chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of Catholic engagement with modernity. Chapter one explores how radical social movements and intellectual trends during the July Monarchy led Catholic leaders to transition the Church's role from a defender of the status quo to a mediator of social progress. Chapter two investigates the Catholic response to non-confessional institutions and civil society, highlighting the perspectives and initiatives of the Catholic professional class. Chapter three addresses efforts to integrate Catholic teachings with emerging political economy science, particularly through theological interpretations of material progress. Chapter four analyzes Catholic views on nineteenth-century technological and scientific advancements, emphasizing their dual role as means to improve earthly life and reflections of divine creation. Finally, chapter five examines how geopolitical changes and nation-building efforts in the 1860s reshaped the Church's role and its relationship with the French laity, demonstrating the expansion of the Church’s moral influence globally alongside its waning temporal power.

Throughout its analysis, the dissertation challenges orthodox narratives of Catholicism's antagonism towards modernity by uncovering instances of accommodation and adaptation. It contends that alongside reactionary elements within the Catholic Church, a robust tradition of social Catholicism emerged, embracing facets of modern political, economic, and social life. By contextualizing Catholic responses within the broader societal transformations of nineteenth-century France, this study enriches our understanding of Catholicism's historical trajectory and its ongoing engagement with the modern world.

A copy of the dissertation will be available for review two weeks before the exam. Contact Lee Horinko for a copy of the dissertation and the Zoom meeting link and password.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend.