Odo, Clement

Odo, Clement (sometimes called Coufier), a noted ecclesiastic who-flourished in France, was born in England about the close of the 12th century. He joined the Benedictines, and had already acquired great reputation. when at the death of Peter d'Anteuil he was appointed abbot of St. Denis, Feb. 10, 1229. He was consecrated on the same day by cardinal Romain, the papal legate in France, and received the investiture from king Louis. One of Odo's first undertakings was the restoration of the apsis and choir of the church of St. Denis, which the monks, claiming that their church was consecrated by God himself, allowed to fall in ruins rather than have it consecrated again. Odo seems to have been as liberal as strong-minded. One of his decrees commands that five hundred poor should every day receive a portion of bread at the expense of the convent, and that moreover a like distribution should be made to a thousand poor on All-saints' day, on the anniversary of his death, and on the anniversary of the funeral of abbot Peter. He was a man of great activity and influence. In 1244 St. Louis chose him as godfather for his son. Made archbishop of Rouen in March, 1245, Odo took part in the. same year in the council assembled at Lyons. Matthew Paris accuses him of simony, pride, and ambition, but on what grounds does not appear. Odo died May 5, 1247. See Matthew Paris, Hist. maj. Henrici I77, ann. 1247; Gallia Christ. vol. vii, col. 887; vol. xi, col. 61 Hist. litter. de la France. 18:527.