Fénelon, François De Salignac De La Mothe
Related Category: Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches: General Biographies
(fräNswä´ də sälēnyäk´ də lä môt fānəlôN´), 16511715, French theologian and writer, a leader of the
quietism heresy, archbishop of Cambrai. As tutor to the duke of Burgundy, he wrote
Télémaque (1699), holding up Ulysses as an example for the young prince. Other writings include a treatise (1687) on female education, and
Explications des maximes des saints (1697), mystical instructions in faith for which Fénelon was banished to Cambrai, where he devoted himself to pastoral duties. His
Lettre à l'Académie (1716) recommended literary activities for the French Academy. His quietism brought a long quarrel with his former patron
Bossuet, which was settled in 1699 when Pope Innocent XII condemned Fénelon's writings.