French archbishop of Paris; Bishop of Nancy. Darboy was among a group of prominent hostages executed as the Paris Commune of 1871 was about to be overthrown. One of three French prelates who met a violent death: Affrey, Sibour and Darboy.
Among the numerous side notes in the ecclesiastical life of Darboy, he long had a tenuous relationship with Pius IX. In 1864 the pope wrote to Darboy on the controversial subject of spiritualism. In that letter he also admonished Darboy for his allegiance to the Emperor, challenge to papal authority, and adherence to Gallicanism. Despite Napoleon III recommending Darboy for a red hat, he was denied by the pope.
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 18 November 1857, as vicar general of the archdiocese of Paris. Accompanied by an original carte-de-visite of darboy by Charlet & Jacotin, Paris.
The Archbishop's Palace — Paris — November 18, 1857 Dear Sir, I am pleased to assure you that His Eminence (Cardinal Morlot) fully concurs with the wishes you did me the honor of communicating to me last night. His Grace the Archbishop takes a tender and lively interest in your Lycée, and he supports all the measures you believe should be taken to develop religious sentiment among your pupils. I would therefore ask you, Dear Sir, to consider Father Barasend as exclusively attached to your boarding school in Vanves, from the moment you see fit to apply this decision. However, I would be very grateful if you would take the trouble to let me know when Mr. Barasand would be fully employed at your boarding school in Vanves, so that we can provide for his replacement in Vanves in good time. Yours sincerely, G. Darboy, Vic. Gen.
Darboy served for a time as curate of Notre-Dame at Saint-Dizier and as professor at the Grand Séminaire of Langres, then joined Mgr. Affre at Paris, 1845, where from "prêtre auxiliaire à la maison des carmes" and chaplain of the Lycée Henri-IV, he soon rose to the position of canon of Notre-Dame, vicar-general and archdeacon of Saint-Denis, having previously been made prothonotary Apostolic. In 1859 he was appointed to the See of Nancy. During his three years as incumbent of that see, he took a special interest in educational matters, established the Ecole-Saint-Léopold, enlarged the Grand Séminaire, and wrote (1862) his famous letter, "Sur la nécessité de l'étude".
Promoted by an imperial decree of 10 January, 1863, to the Archbishopric of Paris, made vacant by the death of Mgr. Morlot, Darboy consecrated within a year the basilica of Notre-Dame, then completely restored, and was honoured with the titles of Grand Almoner, Senator, and Imperial Councillor. Though lacking the independence of Mgr. Affre, the administrative skill of Mgr. Sibour, and the affability of Cardinal Morlot, Darboy was a learned, conscientious, and respected prelate.
With the help of such men as Buquet, Isoard, Langénieux, Meignan, and Foulon, Darboy gave a new impetus to the somewhat remiss administration of his aged predecessor. The Gallicanism of Darboy made him unduly subservient to imperial wishes and caused him to assume against the exemptions of the religious an attitude which Rome (1869) compelled him to abandon. It was his chief motive for siding, during the Vatican Council, with the minority which deemed inopportune the definition of papal infallibility, his reasons being more of a political than of a theological nature. Darboy was one of those who suggested diplomatic intervention as a means of ending difficulties. He left Rome before the final vote of 18 July, 1870, and expressed sentiments which, however, he generously retracted when, several months after the definition, he subscribed to it.
During the siege of Paris Darboy showed himself a true pastor and won the admiration of all. Arrested 4 April, 1871, by order of the Commune, and confined to Mazas Prison, the best efforts of his friends failed to save him; he was shot at Roquette, 24 May, and died blessing his executioners. As soon as order could be restored a national funeral was celebrated for him and the other victims of the Commune. The Abbé Perraud delivered his eulogy at Paris, and Père Didon at Nancy. Darboy was the author of the following works: "OEuvres de saint Denys l'Aréopagite, traduites du grec" (Paris, 1845); "Les femmes de la Bible" (Paris, 1846-9); Les saintes femmes" (Paris, 1850); "Lettres à Combalot" (Paris, 1851); "Jérusalem et la terre sainte" (Paris, 1852); "L'imitation de Jésus-Christ, traduction nouvelle" (Paris, 1852); "Statistique religieuse du diocèse de Paris" (Paris, 1856); "Saint Thomas Becket" (Paris, 1858). He also contributed to the "Correspondant" (1847-1855) and was for a year (1850) director of the "Moniteur Catholique". His pastoral works (2 vols., Paris, 1876) were edited by his biographer, Foulon.
The process of canonization of Darboy and other clergy executed in 1871 by the Paris Commune, was begun in 1896. In 1939 Darboy’s dossier advanced and, in April 2023, he was declared a Servant of God by Francis I.
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