John Stephen Bazin (October 15, 1796–April 23, 1848) was the third Roman Catholic Bishop of Vincennes (now the Archdiocese of Indianapolis).

The Right Reverend

John Stephen Bazin
Bishop of Vincennes
Native name
Jean Etienne Bazin
SeeRoman Catholic Diocese of Vincennes (Indiana)
InstalledOctober 24, 1847
Term endedApril 23, 1848
PredecessorCélestine Guynemer de la Hailandière
SuccessorJacques-Maurice des Landes d’Aussac De Saint Palais
Orders
OrdinationJuly 22, 1822
Personal details
Born(1796-10-15)October 15, 1796
DiedApril 23, 1848(1848-04-23) (aged 51)
Vincennes, Indiana
DenominationRoman Catholic

Life

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Jean Etienne Bazin was born at Duerne, near Lyon, on October 15, 1796, the fourth of nine children of Jean-Antoine and Claudine (née Ville) Bazin. He was educated in his native country and ordained in Lyon Cathedral on July 22, 1822.[1]

In November 1830, he arrived in the United States and began his labours among the Roman Catholics of Mobile, Alabama, where for seventeen years he worked for the religious instruction of the young, organizing the Sunday schools and establishing the Catholic Orphan Asylum Society. He was also the vicar-general of the diocese.[1]

In 1846 at the request of Bishop Michael Portier, Bazin went to France to secure the services of the Society of Jesus for Spring Hill College of Mobile, Alabama, and of the Brothers of the Christian Schools for the Boys' Orphan Asylum. In both efforts he was successful.[1]

When Célestine Guynemer de la Hailandière, Bishop of Vincennes, resigned his see in 1847, Bazin was consecrated his successor on the 24th of October of that year.

Bazin reassured Theodore Guerin that her congregation, the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, could continue despite numerous issues they had had with Bishop de la Hailandière, who had banished Guerin from the diocese and threatened excommunication.[2] In a letter to another bishop, Jean-Baptiste Bouvier of Le Mans, Guerin described Bazin as "pious, humble, and of an amiable simplicity."[3]

Bazin died at Vincennes, Indiana on April 23, 1848, only seven months after his consecration as bishop. He and was interred in the Old Cathedral.[4]

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by President of Spring Hill College
1832–1836
Succeeded by
Peter Mauvernay
Preceded by Bishop of Vincennes
1847–1848
Succeeded by

References

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  1. ^ a b c Spillane, Edward. "John Stephen Bazin." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 11 May 2021   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ Abbott, Maureen (2013). New Lights from Old Truths: Living the Signs of the Times. Sisters of Providence. ISBN 9780989739719.
  3. ^ Guerin, Mother Theodore (1937). Journals and Letters of Mother Theodore Guerin. Providence Press.
  4. ^ "Right Rev. John Stephen Bazin", Archdiocese of Indianapolis

  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainHerbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "John Stephen Bazin". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.