Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bourges

The diocese was founded in the 3rd century. Its first bishop was Ursinus of Bourges.

The ecclesiastical province of Aquitaine was substantially modified from the late Roman province of Aquitania Prima with which it initially corresponded. Bourges was a metropolitan by the beginning of the 6th century. Bishop Honoratus of Bourges presided at the Council of Clermont on 8 November 535.Charles de Clercq, Concilia Galliae, A. 511 - A. 695, {{in lang|la}}, (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), pp. 104, 110. By the end of the 7th century, the ecclesiastical province of Bourges included the dioceses of Albi, Cahors, Clermont, Gabalitana (Javols),Limoges, Rodez, Toulouse, and Aniciensis (Le Puy).De Clercq, p. 413. In the Middle Ages there was a running dispute between the bishop of Bourges and the bishop of Bordeaux about the primacy of Aquitaine and the extent of the jurisdiction of the metropolitans.

The archbishop of Bourges enjoyed primatial (patriarchal) jurisdiction over the ecclesiastical provinces of Narbonne, Auch, Bordeaux, and Toulouse.; to which was later added Albi, when it became an archbishopric. As metropolitan, the archbishop enjoyed jurisdiction over the dioceses of Clermont, S. Flour, Le Puy, Limoges, and Tulle.Gallia christiana, Vol. 5, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia%20christiana%20in%20provincias%20ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1 p. 3].

A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, but important, meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See.{{cite book |author=Benedictus XIV |title=Benedicti XIV ... De Synodo dioecesana libri tredecim |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tj0F8czA8XsC&pg=PA51 |volume=Tomus primus |year=1842 |publisher=Hanicq |location=Mechlin |language=la |pages=42–49 |chapter=Lib. I. caput secundum. De Synodi Dioecesanae utilitate |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521071109/https://books.google.com/books?id=tj0F8czA8XsC&pg=PA51#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }} John Paul II, Constitutio Apostolica de Synodis Dioecesanis Agendis (19 March 1997): [https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-89-1997-ocr.pdf Acta Apostolicae Sedis 89] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215120217/https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-89-1997-ocr.pdf |date=15 February 2020 }} (1997), pp. 706-727.

Bourges was the location of many synods. The synods of 30 November 1225, presided over by the papal legate Cardinal Romanus Bonaventura, and 1226J.D. Mansi, Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima {{in lang|la}}, Vol. 22 (Venice: A. Zatta 1778), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Sacrorum%20conciliorum%20nova%20et%20amplissima/6hdPAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1213 pp. 1213-1220]. are the most important and dealt with the Albigenses.Karl Joseph von Hefele, Histoire des conciles d'après les documents originaux {{in lang|fr}}, Volume 5, Part 2 (Paris: Letouzey 1913), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Histoire_des_conciles_d_apr%C3%A8s_les_docum/f8GS-Iwy7OwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1437 pp. 1437-1143]. The council of 18 November 1228, presided over by Archbishop Simon de Sully (1218–1232) approved the suspension of the archbishop of Bordeaux, Géraud de Malemort (1227–1261), from his metropolitan status.J.D. Mansi, Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima {{in lang|la}}, Vol. 23 (Venice: A. Zatta 1779), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Sacrorum%20Conciliorum%20Nova%20Et%20Amplissima/aOJVAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA201 pp. 191-192]. Another council was held in 1276, another in 1286, and in 1336. Archbishop Jean Coeur held a synod in 1451. In 1516, Archbishop Antoine Bohier (1514–1519) held a synod.[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ordonnances%20Synodales%20de%20Monseigneur%20Fr/T7HpKBktMNkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA12 Ordonnances Synodales de Monseigneur Fréd. Jérôme de Roye de La Rochefoucauld, Archevêque de Bourges,] (Bourges: Jacques Boyer 1748 ?), p. 12. A synod took place in 1528, against Martin Luther and his teachings. Archbishop Jacques le Roy (1537-1572) published synodial constitutions in 1541. In September 1584, in accordance with the decrees of the Council of Trent, Archbishop Renaud de Beaune (1581–1602) held a provincial synod in Bourges, and published the statutes. The meeting had been postponed for some time due to the plague.[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Decreta%20concilii%20provincialis%20patriarcha/KR7VPCQ%20R8YC?hl=en&gbpv=1 Decreta concilii provincialis patriarchalis provinciae Aquitanicae Biturigibus celebrati mense Septembri anno domini M. D. LXXXIIII] (Paris: apud Federicum Morellum 1585). On 23 October 1608, Archbishop André Fremiot (1602–1622) presided over a diocesan synod in Bourges, and published the decrees and statutes.Ordonnances ecclésiastiques, et statuts synodaux faits en 1608 par André Fremiot, (Bourges: Maurice Levez 1608). Other synods were held in 1643, 1645, 1652, 1662, 1673, 1676, and 1680.[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ordonnances%20Synodales%20de%20Monseigneur%20Fr/T7HpKBktMNkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA7 Ordonnances Synodales de Monseigneur Fréd. Jérôme de Roye de La Rochefoucauld, Archevêque de Bourges,] (Bourges: Jacques Boyer 1748 ?), pp. 8-9; 13. Archbishop Frédéric Jérôme de La Rochefoucauld (1729-1757) held a synod on 3 October 1738, others on 16 April and 22 October 1739, others on on 5 May and 20 October 1740, another on 20 April 1741, others on 12 April and 25 October 1742, others on 9 May and 24 October 1743, and another on 23 May 1744. He published its statutes, along with citations from earlier councils and synods.[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ordonnances%20Synodales%20de%20Monseigneur%20Fr/T7HpKBktMNkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA177 Ordonnances Synodales de Monseigneur Fréd. Jérôme de Roye de La Rochefoucauld, Archevêque de Bourges,] (Bourges: Jacques Boyer 1748), p. 177.

On 6 October 1850, Cardinal Archbishop Jacques-Marie Dupont (1842–1859) held a provincial council in Clermont, attended by the bishops of Clermont-Ferrand, Saint-Flour, Tulle, Limoges, and Le Puy-en-Velay.[https://books.google.com/books?id=nX-52QmS2hUC&pg=PA1083 Acta et Decreta Sacrorum Conciliorum Recentiorum], editio Lacensis {{in lang|la}} Vol. 4 (Friburg im Breisgau: Herder 1873), pp. 1083-1162. Councils had been ordered in all of the ecclesiastical provinces of France by Pope Pius IX, who had been driven out of Rome and replaced by a republican government. They were expected to act to protect orthodoxy and obedience, and to reject the ideals of the revolutions.Mike Rapport, 1848: Year of Revolution (New York: Basic Books 2008), pp. 318-327.

In the 14th century, the ecclesiastical province of which Bourges was the metropolitan included the dioceses of: Albi (5th cent.), Castres (1317), Cahors, Clermont, Saint-Flour (1317), Limoges, Mende, Rodez, Tulle (1317), and Vabres (1317).Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hierarchia%20catholica%20medii%20aevi%201198%20143/Yj2ORd5h%20CsC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA542 p. 542, no. 12]. In the papal bull "Triumphans Pastor" issued by Pope Innocent XI on 3 October 1678, the diocese of Albi was promoted to the rank and status of metropolitan archbishopric, and assigned as suffragans (subordinates) the dioceses of Castres, Cahors, Mende, Rodez, and Vabres; this left the metropolitan archbishopric of Bourges with the dioceses of Clermont, Saint-Flour, Limoges, and Tulle.Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 428, nos, 1 and 7. Bullarum diplomatum et privilegiorum sanctorum Romanorum pontificum, Taurinensis editio, {{in lang|la}}, Vol. 19 (Turin: A. Vecco 1870), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bullarum%20diplomatum%20et%20privilegiorum%20san/KetEAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA111 pp. 111-116].

On the eve of the Feast of the Ascension in 1467, nearly the entire city of Bourges was consumed in a fire.Gallia christiana Vol. 5, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia%20christiana%20in%20provincias%20ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA83 p. 89].

On 16 May 1559, a fire destroyed part of the cathedral of Saint-Étienne.Marguerye, p. 178, correcting earlier mistakes in dating the fire to 1552 or 1558.

The cathedral was staffed and administered by a corporation of clerics called the Chapter. The Chapter was headed by a dean and thirteen other dignities: the Cantor, the Chancellor, the Archdeacon, the Subcantor, the eight archdeacons, and the archpriest.Grandot, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ijROAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA12 pp. 12-16]. Pope Urban III (1185–1187) increased the number of prebends from thirty to forty. Pope Clement III (1187–1191) confirmed the decree, and stipulated that forty should be the number of canons, both residentiary and non-residentiary together.Total of number of canons: Grandot, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ijROAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA7 p. 7]. There were thirty canons in the 17th century.Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 121, note 1. In 1757, when king Louis XV dissolved the Sainte-Chapelle of the of the palace in Bourges, he reserved for himself, with the consent of the Chapter, the right to appoint to fourteen of the canonries of the cathedral. By virtue of a bull of Pope Honorius II of 27 December 1130, if a prebend was vacant for more than six months, the archbishop had the right to appoint to it. Grandot, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ijROAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA12 p. 12].

Canons were already in existence by 903, though they had abandoned the practice of living in common by 1215.Grandot, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ijROAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA6 p. 6].

Two canons of Bourges later became pope: Ubaldo Allocingoli, who became Pope Lucius III (1180–1185); and Umberto Crivelli, who was also an archdeacon of Bourges and became Pope Urban III (1185–1187). Pierre Roger de Beaufort, who became Pope Gregory XI (1370–1378), was also an archdeacon of Bourges.Grandot, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ijROAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA11 pp. 11, 15].

In 1236, on the motion of Archbishop Philippe Berruyer (1232–1260), the Chapter instituted the rule that no one could become a canon who was not the product of a legitimate marriage, or who was of a servile condition (slave or serf).Grandot, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ijROAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA10 p. 10-11], with note 2, quoting the Latin text of the statute.

On 2 November 1789, the National Assembly proclaimed that all ecclesiastical property was confiscated by the State.J. B. Duvergier, Collection complète des lois, décrets, ordonnances, règlemens avis du Conseil d'état, {{in lang|fr}}, Volume 1 (Paris: A. Guyot et Scribe, 1834), [https://books.google.com/books?id=-0wDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA64 p. 64-65]: "L'Assemblée nationale décrète, 1º que tous les biens ecclésiastiques sont à la disposition de la nation, à la charge de pourvoir, d'une manière convenable, aux frais du culte, à l'entretien de ses ministres, et au soulagement des pauvres,

sous la surveillance et d'après les instructions des provinces; 2º que dans les dispositions à faire pour subvenir à l'entretien des ministres de la religion, il ne pourra être assuré à la dotation d'aucune cure moins de douze cents livres par année, non compris le logement et les jardins en dépendant". Marais & Beaudoin, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Essai_historique_sur_la_cath%C3%A9drale_et_l/ds9LAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA255 pp. 255-257].

Even before it directed its attention to the Church directly, the National Constituent Assembly attacked the institution of monasticism. On 13 February 1790. it issued a decree which stated that the government would no longer recognize solemn religious vows taken by either men or women. In consequence, Orders and Congregations which lived under a Rule were suppressed in France. Members of either sex were free to leave their monasteries or convents if they wished, and could claim an appropriate pension by applying to the local municipal authority.Duvergier, Collection complète des lois, décrets, ordonnances, règlemens avis du Conseil d'état, Volume 1, [https://books.google.com/books?id=-0wDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA118 p. 118]: "La loi constitutionnelle du royaume ne reconnaitra plus de voeux monastiques solennels des personnes de l'un ni de l'autre sexe: en conséquence, les ordres et congrégations réguliers dans lesquels on fait de pareils voeux sont et demeureront supprimés en France, sans qu'il puisse en être établi de semblables à l'avenir." Michael Burleigh, Earthly Powers: The Clash of Religion and Politics in Europe, from the French Revolution to the Great War (New York: Harper Collins 2006), p. 54.

The National Constituent Assembly ordered the replacement of political subdivisions of the ancien régime with subdivisions called "departments", to be characterized by a single administrative city in the center of a compact area. The decree was passed on 22 December 1789, and the boundaries fixed on 26 February 1790, with the effective date of 4 March 1790.Pisani, [https://books.google.com/books?id=aAQ9AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA10 pp. 10-11]. A new department was created called "Cher," and Bourges became the administrative city in the department.Duvergier, [https://books.google.com/books?id=-0wDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA104 p. 104]: "17. CHER . L'assemblée de ce département se tiendra à Bourges. Il est divisé en sept districts, dont les chefs lieux sont: Bourges, Vierzon, Sancerre, Saint-Amand, Château-Meillant, Sancoins, Aubigny. S'il est créé des tribunaux dans les districts de Château-Meillant, Sancoins et Aubigny, ils seront placés dans les villes de Lignière, Dun-le-Roi et Henrichemont."

The National Constituent Assembly then, on 6 February 1790, instructed its ecclesiastical committee to prepare a plan for the reorganization of the clergy. At the end of May, its work was presented as a draft Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which, after vigorous debate, was approved on 12 July 1790. There was to be one diocese in each department,"Civil Constitution," Title I, "Article 1. Chaque département formera un seul diocèse, et chaque diocèse aura la même étendue et les mêmes limites que le département." requiring the suppression of approximately fifty dioceses.Ludovic Sciout, Histoire de la constitution civile du clergé (1790-1801): L'église et l'Assemblée constituante, {{in lang|fr|la}}, Vol. 1 (Paris: Firmin Didot 1872), [https://books.google.com/books?id=uwxdAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA182 p. 182]: Art. 2 "...Tous les autres évêchés existant dans les quatre-vingt-trois départements du royaume, et qui ne sont pas nommément compris au présent article, sont et demeurent supprimés." The diocese of Bourges was named the diocese of the department of Cher.Duvergier, [https://books.google.com/books?id=-0wDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA242 p. 242]. A new arrangement of dioceses into metropolitanates was ordered, and Bourges became the metropolitan of the "Metropole du centre," with seven suffragan dioceses.Duvergier, [https://books.google.com/books?id=-0wDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA242 pp. 242-243]; "Le royaume sera divisé en dix arrondissemens métropolitains dont les siéges seront Rouen, Reims, Besançon, Rennes, Paris, Bourges, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Aix et Lyon.... L'arrondissement de la métropole du centre comprendra les évêchés des départemens du Cher, de Loir-et-Cher, d'Indre-et-Loire, de la Vienne, de l'Indre, de la Creuse, de l'Allier, de la Nièvre."

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy also abolished Chapters, canonries, prebends, and other offices both in cathedras and in collegiate churches. It also abolished chapters in abbeys and priories of either sex, whether regular or secular..Duvergier, Vol. 1, [https://books.google.com/books?id=-0wDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA285 p. 285]: Article I, "20. Tous titres et offices, autres que ceux mentionnés en la présente constitution, les dignités, canonicats, prébendes, demi-prébendes, chapelles, chapellenies, tant des églises cathédrales que des églises collégiales, et tous chapitres réguliers et séculiers de l'un et de l'autre sexe, les abbayes et prieurés en règle ou en commende, aussi de l'un et de l'autre sexe, et tous autres bénéfices et prestimonies généralement quelconques, de quelque nature et sous quelque dénomination que ce soit, sont, à compter du jour de la publication du présent décret, éteints et supprimés, sans qu'il puisse jamais en être établi de semblables." On 12 July 1790, by decree of the Constituent Assembly, the cathedral Chapter of Bourges was abolished.Girandot, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ijROAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA97 pp. 97-98]. Shortly thereafter, on 4 January 1791, Archbishop Chastenet de Puységur refused to take the obligatory oath to the Civil Constitution, and was obliged to leave the diocese in fear of his life; he sought refuge in London and then in Germany. His episcopal seat was declared vacant.Jongleux, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bourges_et_la_R%C3%A9volution_fran%C3%A7aise_178/qah_9OyhW-QC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA35 p. 35]. Maire Camille Brimont, Vicomte de Thierry, M. de Puségur et l'église de Bourges pendant la révolution, 1789-1802, {{in lang|fr}} (Bourges: Impr. Tatdy Pigelet 1896) [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZM4aAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA90 pp. 90-91; 196-197].

On 20 March 1790, the electors of the department of Cher met at Bourges and elected Charrier de la Roche, a canon of Lyon, as their constitutional bishop. The election was uncanonical and schismatic. He had lost the election for bishop of Paris, but had succeeded in the election for bishop of Rouen; when he chose Rouen over Bourges, the electors had to hold another election.Pisani, [https://books.google.com/books?id=aAQ9AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA85 pp. 85-86]. On 11 April 1791, they chose Pierre-Anastase Tourné, a former canon of Orleans and preacher to the king.Jongleux, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bourges_et_la_R%C3%A9volution_fran%C3%A7aise_178/qah_9OyhW-QC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA42 p. 42]. He issued frequet pastoral letters, in strong opposition to the king, and was elected to the Legislative Assembly. In Bourges, he ordained married men as priests, and on 12 November 1793, apostasized. On 4 January 1794, he himself married; he returned to his native Tarbes, and died on 14 January 1797. In 1798, through the influence of Henri Gregoire, constitutional bishop of Paris, Tourné was replaced by Michel-Joseph Dufraisse, a former Jesuit and vicar of the diocese of Clermont. He was consecrated in Paris on 28 October 1798. He was compelled to resign in October 1801, and died in September 1802.Pisani, [https://books.google.com/books?id=aAQ9AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA85 pp. 86-96].

The French Directory fell in the coup engineered by Talleyrand and Napoleon on 10 November 1799. The coup resulted in the establishment of the French Consulate, with Napoleon as the First Consul. To advance his aggressive military foreign policy, he decided to make peace with the Catholic Church in France and with the Papacy.Hippolyte Taine, [https://books.google.com/books?id=OKMNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA153 The Origins of Contemporary France. The Modern Régime,] Volume 1 (H. Holt, 1890), p. 153. In the concordat of 1801 with Pope Pius VII, and in the enabling papal bull, "Qui Christi Domini", the constitutional diocese of Cher and all the other dioceses in France, were suppressed. This removed all the institutional contaminations and novelties introduced by the Constitutional Church, and voided all of the episcopal appointments of both authentic and constitutional bishops.J.B. Duvergier (ed.), [https://books.google.com/books?id=De01AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA371 Collection complète des lois, décrets, ordonnances, réglemens et avis du Conseil d'état,] {{in lang|fr|la}}, Volume 13 (Paris: A. Guyot et Scribe, 1826), pp. 371-372, col. 2: "L'archevêché de Bourges avec ses suffragans, les évêchés de Clermont, Limoges, le Puy, Tulle , et Saint-Flour." The diocesan structure was then canonically re-established by the papal bull "Qui Christi Domini" of 29 November 1801, including the diocese of Bourges.Duvergier, Vol. 13, [https://books.google.com/books?id=De01AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA374 p.374]: "L'archevêché de Bourges, et les nouveaux évêchés de Limoges, Clermont et Saint-Flour, que nous lui assignons pour suffragans." [https://books.google.com/books?id=De01AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA383 p. 383]. The Concordat was registered as a French law on 8 April 1802.Duvergier, Vol. 13, [https://books.google.com/books?id=De01AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA318 p.318]. The law was published by an arrété of 18 April 1802.

Pope Pius VII had intended, in the bull "Commissa Nobis" of 27 July 1817, to restore the diocese of Nevers in accordance with the Concordat of 1817 with King Louis XVIII, but the French parliament had refused to ratify the concordat as law. On 6 October 1822, a revised version of the bull, now called "Paternae charitatis", was signed, and on demand of the king was enacted into French law in 1823.Bullarii Romani continuatio {{in lang|la}}, Vol. 7 (Prato: Typographia Aldina 1852), pp. 2295-2504. The territory of the diocese of Nevers was removed from the diocese of Bourges.

The dioceses of Orléans, Chartres, and Blois, which historically had been dependent on Sens, were attached to Paris, from which they passed to Bourges in the 1960s.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} The Archdiocese, along with the three above-mentioned sees, is now suffragan to the Archdiocese of Tours.

Historical ecclesiastical geography has here changed to correspond with France's new regions, much as diocesan and provincial boundaries from Napoleon's Concordat of 1801 onwards changed mainly in accordance with those of the Revolution's départements.

In 2002 it lost its metropolitan function.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

::Louis Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA23 pp. 23-25], has shown that the dates of the bishops before the 9th century are quite unreliable, as is the order of the names.

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Ursinus of Bourges (3rd century)Gallia christiana vol. 2, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA3 pp. 4-5]. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA26 p. 26, no. 1].
• Sevitianus
• Aetherius
• Thecretus
• Marcellus
• Viator (337–354)Labbé, pp. 12-13.
• Eleutherius (354–363)
• Pauper 363–377
• Palladius (377–384)Palladius: Gallia christiana vol. 2, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA5 pp. 6-7]. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA26 p. 26, no. 9], with note 3; cf. p. 27, no. 13.
• Villicius (384–412)
• Avitus 412–431
• Palladius (II) 448–462>Sainte-Marthe argues that there was only one Palladius, the second; the first Palladius (377–384) is undocumented. The second Palladius is found in the synodial letter sent to Pope Leo I in 451. Gallia christiana vol. 2, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA5 pp. 6-7].
• Leo (453)
• Eulogius (462–469)Eulogius was the father of Bishop Simplicius. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA27 p. 27, no. 14].
• Simplicius (472–480)Simplicius was chosen and consecrated by Bishop Sidonius Apollinaris of Civitas Arvernorum (Clermont-Ferrand). Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA27 p. 27, no. 15].
• Tetradius ({{circa}} 506–511)Bishop Tetradius took part in the council of Agde on 10 September 506: Charles Munier, Concilia Galliae, A. 314 - A. 506 (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), p. 213 ("Tetradius episcopus de Bitongas metrópoli subscripsi."); and in the council of Orléans in 511: Charles De Clercq, Concilia Galliae, A. 511 - A. 695 (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), p. 15 ("Tetradius episcopus eclesiae Beturiue metropolis subscripsi.")
• Ruricius 512–?
• Siagrius
• Humatus : ?–?
• Honoratus of BourgesOne of the bishops named Honoratus presided over the Council of Clermont (535)). Gallia christiana vol. 2, p. 12, recognizes only one Honoratus.
• Honoratus (II)Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA27 p. 27, no. 22].
• Arcadius 537–549 Arcadius: participated in the council of Orléans in 538, and was represented at the council of Orléans in 541. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA27 pp. 27-28].
• Desideratus (549–550)Desideratus: Duchesne, p. 28, no. 23.
• Probianus (552–559)Probianus Duchesne, p. 28, no. 24.
• Saint Félix 560–573
• Remedius
• Sulpicius (584–591)Sulpicius: Duchesne, p. 28, no. 27.
• Eustasius 591–591
• Apollinaris (591?–611?)Gallia christiana vol. 2, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA15 p. 16], citing only an earlier modern author for details. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA25 p. 25], indicates that the dates and years of service lead to inconsistencies. Les vies des saints ..., t.X, Paris, Herissant, 1739, p. 230.

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• Austregisilus (612–624)Bishop Austregisilus took part in the council of Paris on 10 October 614. He is credited with an episcopate lasting 12 years. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA29 p. 29, no. 30]. De Clercq, ''Concilia Galliae, p. 280 ("Ex ciuitate Beturregas Austrigisilus episcopus.").
• Sulpicius (624–647)Bishop Sulpicius attended the council of Clichy (Clippiacense) on 27 September 626. He died in 647. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA29 p. 29, no. 31]. De Clercq, p. 296 ("Ex ciuitate Biturecas Sulpicius episcopus.").
• Vulfoledus (647– after 660)Bishop Vulfoledus had been coadjutor bishop of Bishop Sulpicius since 641. He was present at the council of Chalon-sur-Saône (Cabilonense), which took place between 647 and 653, perhaps in 650. He subscribed to charters on 22 June 654 and 26 August 660. Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA17 vol. 2, p. 18]. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA29 p. 29, no. 32]. De Clercq, p. 308 ("Bituriue Vulfoleudus episcopus ecclesie his constitutionibus subscripsi.").
• Ado (662–680)Bishop Ado presided at the council of Bordeaux (Modogaromense), held under Childeric II, perhaps in 675. He also took part in the assembly at Marley (Maslacense), held under Theoderic III in 679/680. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA29 p. 29, no. 33]. De Clercq, p. 313 ("Adus metropolitanus Bituricensis urbis episcopus.").
• Agosenus (682–683)Bishop Agosenus signed a charter in June 683. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA30 p. 30, no. 34].
• Roitio (696–736) Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA30 p. 30, no. 34].
• Siginus (736–761)
• Leodarius
• DedoatusGallia christiana vol. 2, p. 20, no. XXXVIII. The dates of Deodatus are entirely conjectural.
• Segoleneus
• David
• Bertholanus (c. 760)Bertellanus took part in an embassy to Pepin the Short (741–768) in 760. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA30 p. 30, no. 41]. Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA17 vol. 2, p. 19], no. XXXV.
• Hermenarius ({{circa}} 769)Hermenarius (Herminardus) was present at the council of Pope Stephen III, held in Rome in 769. J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima {{in lang|la}} Vol. 12 (Florence: A. Zatta 1766), p. 715. Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA17 vol. 2, p. 23-24], no. XXXVII. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA30 p. 30, no. 42].
• StephanusStephanus: Gallia christiana vol. 2, p. 23-24, no. XLIV.
• Ermembertus ({{circa}} 788–791)Ermembertus: Gallia christiana vol. 2, p. 20, no. XXXIX. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA30 p. 30, no. 44].
• Ebroinus ({{circa}} 810)Ebroinus: Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA30 p. 30, no. 45].
• Agilulfus (c. 829–840)Bishop Agilulfus (Aiulfus) took part in the assembly of Thionville in 835. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA30 pp. 30-31, no. 46].
• Rodulfus (840–866)Rodulfus: Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA19 vol. 2, p. 24-27], no. XLV. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA30 p. 31, no. 47].
• Wulfad (866–876)Wifadus: Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA21 vol. 2, pp. 27-30], no. XLVI. {{BBKL|w/wulfad|band=14|autor= Thomas Bauer|artikel= Wulfad, Erzbischof von Bourges|spalten=168–170}}
• Frotharius (876–c. 893)Frotharius had been archbishop of Bordeaux; he was transferred to Bourges in 876. Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA21 vol. 2, pp. 30-34], no. XLVII. Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA31 p. 30, no. 49].
• Adicius ({{circa}} 891) Duchesne, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA31 p. 31, no. 50].
• Madalbert (900–910)Madalbertus: Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA29 vol. 2, p. 34], no. XLIX.
• Gerontius (910–948)Gerontius was the son of Ebbo, lord of Dol, Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA29 vol. 2, pp. 34-35], no. L.
• Launus (948–955)Launus was the son of Launus of Dol, brother of Ebbo, and therefore first cousin of Bishop Gerontius. Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA29 vol. 2, pp. 35-36], no. LI.
• Richard de Blois (955–969)
• Hugh of Blois (969–985){{cite book |last=Devailly |first=Guy |title=Le diocèse de Bourges |publisher=Letouzey & Ane |year=1973 |location=Paris |oclc=815696 |language=fr |quote=Hugues de Blois 969–985 |page=247}}
• Dagbert (987–1013)

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• Gauzlin Capet (1013–1030)
• Aimo de Bourbon (1031–1071)Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA35 vol. 2, pp. 41-42], no. LVI. Gams, [https://books.google.com/books?id=os9DAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA523 p. 523].
• Richardus ({{circa}} 1071–1078)Gallia christiana [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA37 vol. 2, pp. 42-44], no. LVII.

:...

• Alberich of Reims (1136–1141)
• Pierre de La Chastre (1141–1171)
• Garin Gerardi (1174–1180)
• Henry de Sully (1183–1200)
• William of Donjeon (1200–09)
• Girard de Cros (1209–1218)
• Simon de Sully 1218–1232
• Philippe Berruyer 1232–1260
• Jean de Sully 1260–1271
• Guy de Sully 1276–1280
• Simon de Beaulieu 1281–1294
• Egidius Colonna 1295–1316

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• Renault de la Porte 1316–1320
• Guillaume de Brosse 1321–1331
• Foucaud de Rochechouard 1331–1343
• Blessed Roger le Fort 1343–1367
• Pierre d'Estaing 1367–1370
• Pierre de Cros (1370–1374)Pierre de Cros, O.S.B., was a native of Limoges. He had been Bishop of S. Papuli. He was transferred to the diocese of Arles on 2 August 1374, by Pope Gregory IX. He was named a cardinal by Pope Clement VII (Avignon Obedience), on 23 December 1383. He died in Avignon on 16 November 1388. Eubel I, pp. 27 no. 9; 103; 139.
• Bertrand de Chenac (1374–1386)Bertrand was named a cardinal by Pope Clement VII (Avignon Obedience), on 12 July 1385. He died on 21 May 1401. Eubel I, p. 28, no. 20; 139.
• Jean de Rochechouart 1382–1390Eubel, I, p. 139. {{cite book|author1=Joseph Hyacinthe Albanès|author2=Ulysse Chevalier|author3=Louis Fillet|title=Gallia christiana novissima: Arles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B4JPAAAAYAAJ|year=1901|publisher=Soc. anonyme d'imprimerie montbéliardasie|location=Montbéliard|language=fr, la|page=741}}
• Pierre Aimery 1391–1409
• Guillaume de Boisratier 1409–1421
• Henry d'Avangour 1421–1446
• Jean Coeur 1446–1483Coeur: Gallia christiana vol. 5, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia%20christiana%20in%20provincias%20ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA83 pp. 88-90]. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 107 with note 2.
• Pierre Cadoüet 1483–1492Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 107 with note 3.
• Guillaume de Cambray 1492–1505Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 107 with note 4..
• Michel de Bucy 1505–1511Bucy was appointed by Pope Julius II on 11 November 1505. He died in February 1511, and the archbishopric was vacant for 17 months. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, p. 135.
• Andrew Forman (1514)Foreman held a licenciate in the Arts & Humanities, and had been prior of the abbey of Mays. He was named bishop of Moray (Scotland) in 1501. He was appointed archbishop of Bourges on 15 July 1514 by Pope Leo X, and allowed to retain the diocese of Moray. In September 1514, Archbishop Forman was in Rome, participating in the Fifth Lateran Council. He was transferred to the archdiocese of Saint Andrew's (Scotland) on 13 November 1514. Gallia christiana vol. 2, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia%20christiana%20in%20provincias%20ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA87 pp. 93-94]. Eubel II, p. 196 with note 2; III, pp. 108; 135, note 3; 250 with note 2.
• Antoine Bohier 1514–1519 (elevated to Cardinal in 1517)
• François de Tournon (1526-1537) (elevated to Cardinal in 1530)
• Jacques le Roy, O.S.B. (1537-1572)Le Roy: Eubel III, p. 135 with note 11.
• Antoine Vialart, O.S.B. (1572–1576)Vialart was appointed on 16 June 1572 by Pope Gregory XIII. He died on 4 December 1576, at the age of 48. Gallia christiana, vol. 2, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA93 p. 99]. Eubel III, p. 135 with note 12.
• Renaud de Beaune (1581–1602)Renaud had previously been Bishop of Mende. He was transferred to Bourges on 10 July 1581, by Pope Gregory XIII. King Henri IV named him Grand Aumonier in 1592 and then archbishop of Sens in 1594, but Pope Clement VIII did not sign his bulls for Sens until 29 April 1602. He died in Paris on 27 September 1606. Jean, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Les_%C3%A9v%C3%AAques_et_les_archev%C3%AAques_de_Fra/pUstAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA96 p. 96, no. 97]. Eubel III, p. 135 with note 13. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 313 with note 2.

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• André Fremiot (1602–1622)Fremiot was nominated by King Henry IV of France in 1602, and appointed archbishop by Pope Clement VIII on 16 June 1603. He resigned in favor of Roland Hébert in 1622, and was appointed French ambassador in Rome by King Louis XIII. He died in Paris on 13 May 1641. Gallia christiana vol. 5, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA97 pp. 102-104]. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 116 with note 2.
• Roland Hébert (1622-1638)Hébert held a doctorate in theology (Paris). Louis XIII appointed him confessor of Henri II, Prince of Condé during his imprisonment in the Château de Vincennes. He was nominated archbishop by the king, and confirmed by Pope Gregory XV on 14 March 1622. He introduced the Capuchins into the diocese in 1624. He died in Bourges on 21 June 1638. Gallia christiana vol. 5, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA99 pp. 104-107]. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 116 with note 3.
• Pierre d'Hardivilliers (1639–1642–1649)Hardivilliers was a Parisien, and a doctor in theology of the Sorbonne. He was nominated by Louis XIII in 1639, and confirmed by Pope Urban VIII in the consistory of 10 November 1642. He took his oath of obedience to the king on 3 January 1643. He was consecrated a bishop on 8 February 1643 in Paris, in the abbey of Saint-Victor, by Archbishop Léonor d’Estampes de Valançay of Reims. In 1645, he attended the general assembly of the clergy of France. He also founded the poor house of Nançey. He died on 10 October 1649. Gallia christiana vol. 5, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA101 p. 107]. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 116 with note 4.
• Anne de Lévis de Ventadour (1651-1662)Anne de Lévis de Ventadour's father was Duc de Ventadour and Peer of France. Louis XIV nominated him to the archbishopric on 11 November 1649, and he was confirmed by Pope Innocent X on 13 February 1651. He was consecrated in Paris in the church of the Carmelites on 30 April 1651, by Archbishop Georges d’Aubusson de la Feuillade of Embrun. He took possession of the diocese by proxy on 13 May 1651. Having updated his Last Will and Testament on 15 March, he died on 17 March 1662. Gallia christiana vol. 5, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA103 p. 108]. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 116 with note 5.
• Jean de Montpezat de Carbon (1665-1675)Monpezat had been bishop of Saint-Papoul (1658–1665). He was nominated archbishop of Bourges by Louis XIV on 28 October or 18 December 1664, and confirmed by Pope Alexander VII in the consistory of 22 April 1665. He took possession of the diocese on 12 May 1666. He was transferred to the archdiocese of Sens by Pope Clement X on 6 May 1675. He died on 5 November 1685. Gallia christiana vol. 5, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA103 p. 108-109]. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 116 with note 5. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 121; 353 with note 2.
• Michel Poncet de La Rivière (1675-1677)Poncet had been Bishop of Sisteron (1667–1675). He was nominated archbishop by Louis XIV on 21 November 1674, and transferred to the archdiocese of Bourges on 17 June 1675, by Pope Clement X. He died of "apoplexy" on 21 February 1677.Gallia christiana vol. 5, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA103 p. 109]. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 121; 359 with note 2.(
• Michel Phélypeaux de La Vrillière (1677–1694)Michel Phélypeaux: Jean, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Les_%C3%A9v%C3%AAques_et_les_archev%C3%AAques_de_Fra/pUstAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA97 p. 97, no. 104].
• Léon Potier de Gesvres (1694-1729)Léon Potier: Jean, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Les_%C3%A9v%C3%AAques_et_les_archev%C3%AAques_de_Fra/pUstAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA97 pp. 97-98, no. 105]. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 122 with note 4.
• Frédéric Jérôme de La Rochefoucauld (1729-1757)Rochefoucauld was a master of theology (Paris), and had been vicar-general of Rouen. He was nominated to the archbishopric by King Louis XV on 22 January 1729, and approved in the consistory of 6 July 1729, by Pope Benedict XIII. He was consecrated a bishop on 7 August 1729, by Archbishop Louis de La Vergne-Montenard de Tressan of Rouen. He was named a cardinal by Pope in the consistory of 10 April 1747, and assigned the titulus of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura on 15 May 1747. He died in Paris on 28 (or 29) April 1757. Jean, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Les_%C3%A9v%C3%AAques_et_les_archev%C3%AAques_de_Fra/pUstAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA98 p. 98-99, no. 106]. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 122 with note 5; VI, p. 15, no. 29.
• Georges-Louis Phélypeaux d'Herbault (1757–1787)Jean, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Les_%C3%A9v%C3%AAques_et_les_archev%C3%AAques_de_Fra/pUstAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA99 p. 99, no. 107].
• Jean-Antoine-Auguste de Chastenet de Puységur (1788–1801)Chastenet de Puységur: Jean, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Les_%C3%A9v%C3%AAques_et_les_archev%C3%AAques_de_Fra/pUstAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA100 p. 100, no. 109].
  –refused to resign; dismissed

;Constitutional church (schismatic)

::Pierre-Anastase Tourné (1791–1794)Pisani, [https://books.google.com/books?id=aAQ9AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA85 pp. 85-86]. Jongleux, [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bourges_et_la_R%C3%A9volution_fran%C3%A7aise_178/qah_9OyhW-QC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA42 p. 42].

::Michel-Joseph Dufraisse (1798–1801)

• Marie-Charles-Isidore de Mercy (1802–1811)Mercy was born at the chateua de Maubec in the diocese of Vienne, and held a doctorate in theology. He had been Vicar-General of the diocese of Sens. On 17 November 1775, he was nominated by King Louis XVI to be bishop of Luçon, and was approved by Pope Pius VI on 29 January 1776. During the revolution, he refused to take the oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, and in 1791 went into exile in Switzerland. He resigned at the request of Pope Pius VII in 1801, and was appointed archbishop of Bourges on 15 April 1802. He died on 18 February 1811. Armand Désiré de La Fontenelle de Vaudoré, Histoire du monastère et des évêques de Luçon, {{in lang|fr}}, Volume 2 (Fontenay-le-Comte: Gaudin, 1847), [https://books.google.com/books?id=Su1ZSZKtJNEC&pg=PA 835 pp. 835-896]. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 267 with note 4.
• Étienne-Jean-Baptiste-Louis des Gallois de La Tour (1817–1820)
• Jean-Marie Cliquet de Fontenay (1820–1834)
• Guillaume-Aubin de Villèle (1825–1841)
• Jacques-Marie Antoine Célestin Dupont (1842–1859)
• Alexis-Basile-Alexandre Menjaud (1859–1861)
• Charles-Amable de la Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais (1861–1879)
• Jean-Joseph Marchal (1880–1892)
• Jean-Pierre Boyer (1893–1896)Boyer: S. Grenier, Nos évêques: biographies et portraits des membres de l'épiscopat français, {{in lang|fr}}, (Paris: Flammarion 1896), pp. 89-92.

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Image:Mgr Armand Maillard.jpg

• Pierre-Paul Servonnet (1897–1909)
• Louis-Ernest Dubois (1909–1916), appointed Archbishop of Rouen (Cardinal later that year)
• Martin-Jérôme Izart (1916–1934)
• Louis-Joseph Fillon (1934–1943)
• Joseph-Charles Lefèbvre (1943–1969) (Cardinal in 1960)
• Charles-Marie-Paul Vignancour (1969–1984)
• Pierre Marie Léon Augustin Plateau (1984–2000)
• Hubert Barbier (2000–2007)
• Armand Maillard (2007–2018)
• Jérôme Beau (25 July 2018– )

• Catholic Church in France
• Timeline of Bourges

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |editor-last1=Eubel |editor-first1=Conradus |title=Hierarchia catholica |volume=Tomus 1 |date=1913 |publisher=Libreria Regensbergiana |location=Münster |edition=second |language=Latin |url=https://archive.org/details/hierarchiacathol01eubeuoft}}
• {{cite book |editor-last1=Eubel |editor-first1=Conradus |title=Hierarchia catholica |volume=Tomus 2 |date=1914 |publisher=Libreria Regensbergiana |location=Münster |edition=second |language=Latin |url=https://archive.org/details/hierarchiacathol02eubeuoft}}
• {{cite book |editor-last1=Eubel |editor-first1=Conradus |editor-last2=Gulik |editor-first2=Guilelmus |title=Hierarchia catholica |volume=Tomus 3 |date=1923 |publisher=Libreria Regensbergiana |location=Münster |edition=second |language=Latin |url=https://archive.org/details/hierarchiacathol02eubeuoft}}
• {{cite book |last1=Gauchat |first1=Patritius (Patrice) |title=Hierarchia catholica |volume=Tomus IV (1592-1667) |date=1935 |publisher=Libraria Regensbergiana |location=Münster |url=https://archive.org/details/hierarchiacathol04eubeuoft |access-date=6 July 2016}} (in Latin)
• {{cite book |last1=Ritzler |first1=Remigius |last2=Sefrin |first2=Pirminus |title=Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi V (1667-1730) |date=1952 |publisher=Messagero di S. Antonio |location=Patavii |url=https://archive.org/details/hierarchiacathol05eubeuoft |access-date=6 July 2016}}
• {{cite book |last1=Ritzler |first1=Remigius |last2=Sefrin |first2=Pirminus |title=Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi |volume=Tomus VI (1730-1799) |date=1958 |publisher=Messagero di S. Antonio |location=Patavii |url=https://archive.org/details/hierarchiacathol06eubeuoft |access-date=6 July 2016}} (in Latin)
• {{cite book |last1=Ritzler |first1=Remigius |last2=Sefrin |first2=Pirminus |title=Hierarchia Catholica medii et recentioris aevi sive summorum pontificum, S. R. E. cardinalium, ecclesiarum antistitum series... A pontificatu Pii PP. VII (1800) usque ad pontificatum Gregorii PP. XVI (1846) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgyItwAACAAJ |volume=VII |year=1968 |publisher=Libr. Regensburgiana |location=Monasterii |language=la}}
• {{cite book |author1=Remigius Ritzler |author2=Pirminus Sefrin |title=Hierarchia catholica Medii et recentioris aevi... A Pontificatu PII PP. IX (1846) usque ad Pontificatum Leonis PP. XIII (1903) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5oXUjwEACAAJ |year=1978 |volume=VIII |publisher=Il Messaggero di S. Antonio |language=la}}
• {{cite book |last=Pięta |first=Zenon |title=Hierarchia catholica medii et recentioris aevi... A pontificatu Pii PP. X (1903) usque ad pontificatum Benedictii PP. XV (1922) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QXuJQwAACAAJ |volume=IX |year=2002 |publisher=Messagero di San Antonio |location=Padua |language=la |isbn=978-88-250-1000-8}}

• De Lacger, Louis (1937). [https://www.persee.fr/doc/rhef%200300-9505%201937%20num%2023%2098%202791 "La primatie d'Aquitaine du VIIIe au XIVe siècle,"] {{in lang|fr}}, in: Revue d'histoire de l'Église de France, Vol. 23, n°98, 1937. pp. 29-50.
• Duchesne, Louis (1900). [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule/vR6aMIxkgnkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA21 Fastes épiscopaux de l'ancienne Gaule]. {{in lang|fr}}. Volume 2. Paris: Fontemoing 1900. [pp. 21-31]. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Fastes_%C3%A9piscopaux_de_l_ancienne_Gaule_L/bttLAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA21 2nd edition (1910)].
• {{cite book|last=Du Tems|first=Hugues|title=Le clergé de France, ou tableau historique et chronologique des archevêques, évêques, abbés, abbesses et chefs des chapitres principaux du royaume, depuis la fondation des églises jusqu'à nos jours|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGmBpeDWVfEC|volume=Tome premier|year=1774|publisher=Delalain|location=Paris|language=fr}} [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Le_Clerg%C3%A9_de_France_ou_tableau_historiq/n5A8LgyvxkkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1 Tome troisième (1775)].
• Giradot, A. de Baron. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ijROAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1 Histoire du Chapitre de Saint-Etienne de Bourges.] Orléans: Alex. Jacob, 1853.
• {{cite book|last= Jean|first=Armand|title=Les évêques et les archevêques de France depuis 1682 jusqu'à 1801|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Les_%C3%A9v%C3%AAques_et_les_archev%C3%AAques_de_Fra/pUstAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=96]|year=1891|publisher=A. Picard|location=Paris|language=fr}} [https://archive.org/details/lesvquesetlesar00jeangoog/page/n125 Archived].
• Jongleux, Edmond (1895). [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bourges_et_la_R%C3%A9volution_fran%C3%A7aise_178/qah_9OyhW-QC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1 Bourges et la Révolution française 1789-1804]. {{in lang|fr}}. Bourges: Léon Renaud 1895.
• Labbé, Philippus (1657). Nova Bibliotheca Manuscript[orum] Librorum [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Nova_Bibliotheca_Manuscriptorum_Librorum/pnxlAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1 Tomus Secundus Rerum Aquitanicarum, Praesertim Bituricensium], uberrima collectio. {{in lang|la}}. Paris: Sebastian Cremoisy 1657.
• Marguerye, R. de (1890). "Le grand incendie de la cathédrale de Bourges. Moeurs administratives au XVIe siècle," in: [https://dn790009.ca.archive.org/0/items/mmoires04bourgoog/mmoires04bourgoog.pdf Mémoires de la Société des antiquaires du Centre] (Bourges: Tardy-Pigelet 1890), pp. 178-228.
• {{cite book|author=Pisani, Paul|title=Répertoire biographique de l'épiscopat constitutionnel (1791-1802).|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aAQ9AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA85|year=1907|publisher=A. Picard et fils|location=Paris|pages=85-96|language=fr}}
• Sainte-Marthe, Denis (1720). [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gallia_christiana_in_provincias_ecclesia/NgPfZG940vEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1 Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa]. {{in lang|la}}. Volume 2. Paris: Typographia regia 1720. [pp. 4-221; "Instrumenta," pp. 2-72. [reprint: ed. Paul Paolin 1873]
• {{cite book|author=Société bibliographique (France)|title=L'épiscopat français depuis le Concordat jusqu'à la Séparation (1802-1905)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcozAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA687|year=1907|publisher=Librairie des Saints-Pères|location=Paris}}

• {{in lang|fr}} Centre national des Archives de l'Église de France, [http://www.eglise.catholique.fr/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/10/Liste_eveques_France_XXe_siecle.pdf L'Épiscopat francais depuis 1919], retrieved: 2016-12-24.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080601085717/http://catholique-bourges.cef.fr/histoire/archeveques/index.htm Archevêques de Bourges]
• [http://catholic-hierarchy.org Lists of Bishops and Archbishops]

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{{Roman Catholic dioceses in France|state=collapsed}}

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Category:Roman Catholic dioceses in France

Category:Dioceses established in the 3rd century

Category:3rd-century establishments in Roman Gaul