Biography
Sulpicius I of Bourges
About Sulpicius I of Bourges
Sulpicius I was bishop of Bourges in the late sixth century. Often called Sulpicius Severus, he must be distinguished from the historian who wrote about Martin of Tours. The Catholic Encyclopedia identifies these as different men, despite a longstanding confusion between their names.
His episcopate is usually dated from 584 to 591. The New Catholic Encyclopedia records his presence at the council of Mâcon in 585 and his convocation of a provincial council at Clermont.
The provincial council dealt with a disagreement between the bishops of Cahors and Rodez. Jacques Péricard notes that its date is uncertain and identifies it as early evidence of the metropolitan authority exercised from Bourges. His study also cautions that the tradition concerning Sulpicius’s burial and the later transfer of his remains is insecure.
His memory survives in local worship. The church at Boncé bears his name, and its parish account identifies its saint as the sixth-century bishop. The same account describes the fire of 1903, which destroyed the roof and furnishings while leaving the walls standing.
The Catholic calendar Nominis commemorates him on 29 January. Its account also warns against confusing him with the writer Sulpicius Severus.
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