Rare 1876 Catholic Episcopal Document – Bishop Joseph-Alfred Foulon Rare 1876 Catholic Episcopal Document Bishop Joseph

1876 Catholic Episcopal Appointment Document — Bishop Joseph-Alfred Foulon, Diocese of Nancy

An original 19th-century Roman Catholic ecclesiastical document issued in Nancy, France, by Joseph-Alfred Foulon, Bishop of Nancy and Toul and Primate of Lorraine.

Dated 1876, the document records the appointment of Franciscus Xaverius Bourguignon as Honorary Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of Nancy.

The printed heading bears the episcopal name and heraldic coat of arms:

“Josephus-Alfridus Foulon, Dei gratia et auctoritate Sanctae Sedis Apostolicae Episcopus Nanceiensis et Tullensis, Lotharingiae Primas.”

Written in Latin with manuscript additions, the document combines a printed episcopal heading with handwritten entries and original signatures. It also bears an embossed diocesan seal, providing an important physical element of the document's original ecclesiastical presentation.

The large folio sheet retains its original folds from storage and preserves the appearance of a formal diocesan document from the late 19th century.

Historical Context

Joseph-Alfred Foulon (1823–1893) served as Bishop of Nancy-Toul from 1867 until 1882. In 1882 he became Archbishop of Besançon, and he was later created a cardinal.

This 1876 document therefore dates from the middle of Foulon's episcopate at Nancy, several years before his elevation to the archiepiscopate and later cardinalate.

The Diocese of Nancy-Toul was an established ecclesiastical jurisdiction in eastern France, and its historical records preserve the administrative activity of successive bishops.

For collectors of Catholic history, French ecclesiastical manuscripts, episcopal documents, Nancy Cathedral history and 19th-century religious documents, this manuscript provides a tangible example of diocesan administration during Foulon's episcopate.

Key Details

• Date: 1876
• Country: France
• Location: Nancy
• Diocese: Nancy-Toul
• Bishop: Joseph-Alfred Foulon
• Title at the time: Bishop of Nancy-Toul and Primate of Lorraine
• Later title: Archbishop of Besançon; later Cardinal
• Document type: Catholic ecclesiastical / episcopal appointment document
• Appointment: Honorary Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of Nancy
• Candidate: Franciscus Xaverius Bourguignon
• Language: Latin with manuscript additions
• Heading: Printed episcopal formula and coat of arms
• Signatures: Handwritten signatures of ecclesiastical officials
• Seal: Original embossed diocesan seal
• Format: Large folio sheet, folded as issued
• Condition: Good antique condition with normal fold marks and light age toning
• Seal: Embossed seal remains visible

A historic 1876 Catholic episcopal appointment document from Nancy, issued during the episcopate of Joseph-Alfred Foulon and preserving its original Latin text, episcopal arms, signatures and embossed diocesan seal.