Olivier, Seraphin

Olivier, Seraphin a French prelate of note, was born at Lyons, Aug, 2, 1538. He studied at I Tournol, and afterwards at Bologna, where he graduated as doctor in civil and canon law. In 1562 he was professor in the university, and was afterwards called to Rome by pope Pius IV, and appointed in 1564 auditeur de la rote for France. He held this office for thirty-six years. Gregory XIII sent him to France in 1573 to congratulate the duke of Anjou (afterwards Henry II) on his election to the throne of Poland; and he was sent on a second mission to that country by Sixtus V in 1589. He took an active part in inducing Clement VIII to grant absolution to Henry IV. When cardinal D'Ossat resigned, Henry IV nominated Olivier to the bishopric of Rennes in June, 1609; but he never took possession of that see, and was created patriarch of Alexandria Aug. 26, 1602, and cardinal June 9, 1604. He died at Rome March 9, 1609. He wrote, Decisiones rotae Romance mille quingentae (Rome,. 1614, 2 vols. fol.; Francf. 1615, 1661, 2 vols. fol., with notes and additions). It begins with the funeral sermon of that prelate, preached by John du Bois, which was also published separately (Rome, 1609, 4to). See Frizon, Gallia purpurata, p.680; Sainte- Marthe, Gallia Christiana, vol. iii; Amelot de la Houssaye, Lettres du Cardinal d'Ossat, 2:76, 316, 440; De Thou, HistaP. univ. 1:131; Alby, listoire des Cardinaux illustres; France pontificate.