Moise, Francois Xavier

Moise, Francois Xavier a French theologian, was born at Gras, in Frainche-Comte, in 1742. He was professor of theology at Dole when the Revolution broke out; and, taking the oath of loyalty to the civil constitution, in 1791 was elected bishop for the Jura district. During the reign of terror he had to conceal himself in the mountains. But being a learned canonist, and conversant with theology and the Levantine languages, his country needed his services, and he was called out to take a prominent part in the discussions which marked the national councils held in Paris during the years 1797 and 1801. At the expiration of the latter year he resigned his sacerdotal functions, together with abbe Gregoire, with whom he was intimately acquainted, left Paris soon thereafter, and retired to his farm at Morteau. Bishop Lecoz then bestowed upon him the title of honorary canon of Besanoon. Moise died at Morteau in 1813. He wrote: Reponses critiques a plasieurs questions proposees par les incredules modernes sur divers endroits des Livres

Saints (Paris, 1783, 18mo): — De l'Opinion de M. Grefjoire daus le proces de Louis XVI (1801); together with some articles in the Annales de la Religion, La Chronique Religieuse, etc.