Camus, Jean Pierre

Camus, Jean Pierre, Bishop of Belley, was born at Paris in 1582, and was consecrated bishop Aug. 31, 1609. He devoted all his energies to the duties of his diocese, especially in reforming abuses, and endeavoring to bring back the monks and nuns to a regular life. On the latter point he was rigid. In 1629 he resigned his see, and retired into the abbey of Aulnai, given to him by the king upon his resignation of his bishopric. He afterward entered the Hospital of Incurables of Paris, where he died, April 26, 1653. The number of his writings is immense; the Abbe Le Clerc attributes to him more than two hundred volumes, consisting of controversial, moral, and devout treatises,, sermons, letters, and religious novels. He was a bitter and sarcastic foe of the Mendicant orders. — Landon, Eccl. Dictionary, 2:526; Niceron, Mémoires, 36:92.