‎Jan De Maeyer, Kristien Suenens (eds)‎
‎Cardinal D sir -Joseph Mercier (1851-1926). Revisiting Old Themes and Exploring New Directions / Revisiter des th mes anciens et explorer de nouvelles orientations‎

‎, Brepols, 2026 Paperback, 690 pages, Size:156 x 234 mm, Illustrations:5 b/w, 4 tables b/w., 1 maps b/w, Languages: English, French. ISBN 9782503627618.‎

Reference : 71126

‎Summary In 2026, the centenary of the death of Cardinal D sir -Joseph Mercier, archbishop of Mechelen (1906-1926), will be commemorated. Mercier is regarded as an exceptionally multifaceted figure: a leading intellectual, a church leader of international stature, a war hero and a central figure in Belgian (church) history. During his lifetime, he aroused both admiration and opposition, a tension that continues to shape his historical legacy. This collection brings together a series of innovative and critical contributions that re-examine both well-known and less-studied aspects of his life, work and influence. Together, they open up new perspectives on a complex figure: Mercier was a determined strategist who tirelessly sought ways to reconcile the Church with modernity. He combined intellectual passion and spiritual ambition with a pronounced sense of hierarchy and authority. His conduct was often courageous and visionary, yet at the same time elitist, authoritarian and, in certain respects, ambiguous. Contrary to the image of a staunch pr lat d'avant-garde that has long been associated to him, this book presents him rather as a perceptive, culturally pessimistic and conservative church leader, who carefully and strategically explored how modernity could, in fact, be harnessed in the service of the Church and the faith. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Jan DE MAEYER and/et Kristien SUENENS Part I: Youth, studies and personality/Jeunesse, tudes et personnalit La jeunesse de D sir Mercier Braine-l'Alleud (1851-1863) Xavier CAMBRON (Coll ge Mercier Braine-l'Alleud) et Luc COURTOIS (UCLouvain) Les d buts de D sir Mercier Malines. Les ann es au Coll ge Saint-Rombaut, au Petit et au Grand S minaire (1863-1873) Gerrit VANDEN BOSCH (Archdiocese Mechelen-Brussels) D sire Mercier. tudiant la Facult de th ologie de Louvain (1873-1877) Leo KENIS (KU Leuven), avec la collaboration de Luc COURTOIS (UCLouvain) La spiritualit personnelle du cardinal Mercier, examin e travers la v n ration des saints Joris GELDHOF (University of Notre Dame/KU Leuven) Part II: Mercier and the Church/Mercier et l' glise Perfection in Practice. Mercier and the Apostolic Life for Clergy and Laity Maite DE BEUKELEER (KU Leuven) and DRIES BOSSCHAERT (KU Leuven) "My Most Powerful Helpers". Mercier and Women Religious: Between Admiration and Subordination Kristien SUENENS (KADOC-KU Leuven) Les religieux eux-m mes [?] doivent avoir les yeux et le coeur fix s sur l' v que . Mercier et les religieux masculins Eddy LOUCHEZ (KU Leuven/UCLouvain) Le cardinal Mercier (1851-1926) et la liturgie Andr HAQUIN (UCLouvain) Cardinal Mercier, Mary and the Sacred Heart Hans GEYBELS (KU Leuven) The Holy See's Authorisation to Mercier for the Malines Conversations. New Findings from the Vatican Archives Saretta MAROTTA (-) Part III: Mercier, politics and society/Mercier, la politique et la soci t Une mission manqu e. Le cardinal Mercier et le mouvement flamand avant la Premi re Guerre mondiale Lieve GEVERS (KU Leuven) Lophem, le cardinal, le roi. L'attitude du cardinal Mercier dans les premiers mois apr s l'armistice de 1918 Emmanuel GERARD (KU Leuven) Mercier and the Catholic Women's Movement. Mentorship, Authority, and Control Kristien SUENENS (KADOC-KU Leuven) "A Perverted World". Mercier, Neo-Malthusianism, and the Moral Order Leen VAN MOLLE (KU Leuven) Updating Social Catholicism. D sir Mercier and the International Union of Social Studies (1919-1927) Peter HEYRMAN (KADOC-KU Leuven) La position du Cardinal Mercier vis- -vis l' tat Ind pendant du Congo et le Congo belge. Les enjeux entre tat et glise et les missions catholiques (1906-1926) Dries VANYSACKER (KU Leuven) The Strategic Networker in D sir Mercier. An Analysis of His Contacts Abroad Jan DE VOLDER (KU Leuven) Cardinal Mercier and the Russioan Emigration Wim Coudenijs (KU Leuven) Part IV: Mercier, science, art and sports/Mercier, la science, l'art et le sport Mercier et les sciences Luc COURTOIS (UCLouvain), avec la collaboration de Leo KENIS (KU Leuven) Honouring Science as a Religious Performance. D sir Mercier and Modern Psychology Kaat WILS (KU Leuven) Serious and Seductive. Mercier and the Evolution Debate Raf DE BONT (Maastricht University) Dante in 1921. A Path Towards Mercier's Aesthetics Rajesh HEYNICKX (KU Leuven) "Omnes currunt, sed unus accipit bravium". Cardinal Mercier's Attitude to Gymnastics and Football in the Belgian Catholic Education System and His Address to the Athletes at the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games Dries VANYSACKER (KU Leuven)‎