1. Jean-Olivier Briand was the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quebec from 1766 to 1784.
12 Facts About Jean-Olivier Briand
1. 2.
Jean-Olivier Briand studied at the Seminary of St Brieuc and was ordained a priest in 1739.
3.
In 1741 he left for Canada with another priest, Abbe Rene-Jean Allenou de Lavillangevin, and the newly appointed bishop for Quebec City, Henri-Marie Dubreil de Pontbriand for whom Briand served as vicar-general.
4.
Jean-Olivier Briand ministered to the dying at the battle of St Foy, and after the bishop's death was appointed administrator of the diocese which then included Acadia, Louisiana, and Illinois.
5.
Jean-Olivier Briand was able to diplomatically adapt to the new regime and so managed to maintain the rights of the Church without causing a confrontation with the authorities.
6.
Jean-Olivier Briand's efforts contributed to the 1774 passage of the Quebec Act.
7.
Jean-Olivier Briand did not trust the American colonists, whose antipapal prejudice seemed clear.
8.
Jean-Olivier Briand was a notable opponent of the American Revolution and served as a useful ally to the British administration under Guy Carleton.
9.
Jean-Olivier Briand was joined in the commission by his cousin John Carroll.
10.
Jean-Olivier Briand notably excommunicated Maryland-born Jesuit priest John Carroll, when the latter tried to encourage Canadians to join the revolution or at least remain neutral.
11.
Jean-Olivier Briand resigned in 1784 to make room for a younger bishop.
12.
Jean-Olivier Briand retained episcopal powers but seldom exercised them during his last years.