Cretenet, Jacques

Cretenet, Jacques a noted French ecclesiastic, was born at Champlitte (Franche Comte) in 1604. He studied surgery at Lyons, and devoted himself to the relief of the victims of the memorable plague in that city. After the death of his wife, who had brought him a large property, he entered the clerical state, and founded the order of Josephists, devoted to missions and education, which met with much opposition, the head himself being excommunicated by the archbishop of Lyons. Cretenet died at Montheel, September 1, 1666. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.