Gerbet, Olympe Philippe

Gerbet, Olympe Philippe a French prelate, was born in 1798. He lent his aid to the journal L'Avenir until it was censured by Gregory XVI, and wrote for L'Universite Catholique, a monthly review, founded by M. Bonnetty, a series of articles on the philosophy of religion which were quite noteworthy. He was for a long time vicar-general of M. de Salinis (bishop of Amiens), was appointed, bishop of Perpignan, December 19, 1853, consecrated June 29 of the following year, and died in 1864. He become known to the public as one of Lamennais' assistants in editing the journal L'Avenir in 1830; but before that time he had already published Des Doctrines Philosophiques sur la Certitude dans ses. Reports avec les Fondements de la Theologie

(Paris, 1826). In 1831 he published, Coup d'OEil sur la Controverse Chretienne, and Considerations sur le Dogme Generale de la Piete Catholique. More important is his L'Esquisse de Rome Chretienne (1844- 50, 3 volumes). See L'Universite Catholique (1838-34); Lamennais, Affaires de Rome (Paris, 1835); Arboux, in Lichtenberger, Encyclop. des Sciences Religieuses, s.v. (B.P.)