Latour (Dauvergne Lauragais), Higues Robert Jean Charles De

Latour (D'Auvergne Lauragais), Higues Robert Jean Charles De a French prelate, was born at the chateau of Auzeville, near Toulouse, August 14, 1768. In the care of his uncle, a canon of Castres, he went to Paris, where he entered the Seminary of St. Sulpice, and pursued a course of theology under Emery. In 1792 and 1793 he was secretly ordained sub- deacon, deacon, and priest by the bishop of Limoges of Argentre. He refused the oath to the civil constitution of the clergy, and withdrew to Picardy, to the house of his aunt, the countess of Vergy, and there performed secretly the offices of his ministry at Amiens. He was finally arrested and thrown into prison. A contractor of the republican army rescued him by taking him into his service. The first consul appointed him bishop of Arras, May 9, 1802, The young bishop reconstructed his diocese, and founded in it all sorts of institutions. On all occasions he manifested his admiration for the chief of the state, who had restored peace to the Church, and advanced the glory of France. The events of 1814 modified his opinions, and on April 8 he sent his approval to the act of forfeiture of the emperor. The restoration brought to him an offer of the bishopric of Rheims, which he refused. The government of July offered still more important archbishoprics. Latour wished to remain in his see, but accepted the Roman purple, Dec. 14,1840. He died July 26,1851. He left some catechisms, sermons, etc. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.