Jean Marie Du Lau - Archbishop of Arles

Archbishop of Arles

Starting in 1777, the new archbishop embarked on a pastoral visitation of the diocese and in 1779 he had a report on the state of the diocese drawn up by the abbé Laurent Bonnemant, with a view to introducing reforms. Like that of many reforming bishops, the archbishop’s interest extended to the preparation of widwives and catechism of children. He also undertook building works, such as the imposing facade of the archbishop’s palace, which he rebuilt in 1786.

With the convocation of the States General in 1789, he was one of the representatives of the clergy. As the revolutionary situation developed, the archbishop began a bitter conflict with the newly elected mayor of Arles, Pierre-Antoine Antonelle, an aristocrat who had sided with radical wing of the Revolution.

The conflict was short-lived for on 12 July 1790, the National Assembly voted for measures that included the abolition of the then archdiocese of Arles. While this had in itself no validity in Church law, as it happened the diocese was never revived thereafter. Jean-Marie du Lau d'Allemans was in fact the last Archbishop of Arles.