“Bishop of the Curé of Ars”
During his ministry in Ars, Jean-Marie Vianney will know 3 successive bishops in the episcopal see of Belley. Dissolved in 1802, the diocese was reestablished in 1823, and Mgr Devie then became its bishop. He was succeeded by Mgr Chalandon in 1852 and Mgr de Langalerie in 1857. Due to his long presence, it was especially Mgr Devie who followed the holy Curé the most (from 1823 to 1852); he will even receive the title “bishop of the Curé of Ars”. He will tirelessly support him in difficulties and against his various detractors. Aside from his desire to change parish which he will always oppose, Bishop Devie will do nothing to hinder the work of Jean-Marie Vianney.
It was in 1767 that Alexandre-Raymond Devie was born. At the age of 16 he entered the Viviers seminary. Its application will allow it to be among the first. In 1785 he continued his theological training there with a view to preparing for the priesthood. On September 6, 1790, he was ordained deacon. But his bishop taking an oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy a few months later – thus causing a great division in the clergy – the young deacon decided not to be ordained by his bishop. He then went to Nice where he would again receive the call to the priesthood.
It was on October 31, 1791, that he was finally ordained clandestinely by the Bishop of Vaison. His first Mass will be celebrated on a farm in Montélimar.
During the Revolution, Abbé Devie hid in Montélimar with a person who offered him safe asylum. During this troubled period, Providence was able to rescue him from the hands of his persecutors… Following the Concordat (reopening of churches in 1801), Father Devie was appointed to the Sainte Croix parish of Montélimar where he carried out his duties with ardor . Some time later (1811) he became superior of the seminary of Viviers then, in 1815 (the year of JM Vianney’s ordination) he was appointed vicar general of the diocese of Valence. He was consecrated bishop of Belley in 1823.
The diocese of Belley
Throughout his episcopate in this diocese, the Curé of Ars will have great esteem for his bishop. One day, following complaints received at the bishopric, Mgr Devie will send the priest of Trévoux to investigate Mr. Vianney. But the bishop, despite these first questions, will always support his “holy Curé”.
When Father Tailhades, after two months spent in Ars, met Bishop Devie, he asked him: “What do you think of the Curé of Ars? » – “I believe he is a saint” replied the young priest; “I think like you,” retorted the bishop. To priests who criticized Mr. Vianney, he responded one day: “I do not know if the Curé of Ars is educated, but he is enlightened…”.
The Curé of Ars noted one day: “I sometimes say to Mgr Devie: If you want to convert your diocese, you must make saints of all your priests”. In 1852, Monsignor Devie died from a painful illness. Some time later, Jean-Marie Vianney remarked: “I am surprised that Mgr . Devie doesn’t work miracles…”.
Extract from the Annales d’Ars n° 326[mai-juin 2010] .
