Piedad e ilustración en relación armónica : Josep Climent i Avinent, obispo de Barcelona, 1766-1775

Abstract

La autora analiza el pensamiento reformista del emblemático Josep Climent i Avinent (1706- 1781), obispo de Barcelona de 1766 a 1775 y uno de los principales representantes de la Ilustración española. Un movimiento caracterizado, a diferencia de su homónimo francés, por la coexistencia de la razón y de la fe en sus postulados.

L'autora analitza el pensament reformista de l'emblemàtic Josep Climent i Avinent (1706-1781), bisbe de Barcelona de 1776 a 1775 i un dels principals representants de la Il·lustració espanyola. Un moviment caracteritzat, a diferència del seu homònim francès, per la coexistència de la raó i de la fe en els postulats.

Although the French Enlightenment turned in an anti-Catholic direction, the cause of the Luces in Spain was not perceived as incompatible with the chief element of Spanish identity, Catholicism. In this context, what can be defined as the Spanish Enlightenment entailed a purification, or «enlightening», of the Catholic faith rather than its abolition. Thus, for Spanish ilustrados, to oppose «superstition» was to oppose a trait regarded as extrinsic to the faith, not an element essential to it. Of all ilustrados, Josep Climent i Avinent (b. 1706, d. 1781), bishop of Barcelona from 1766 to 1775, stands unparalled in eighteenth century Spain for his unique way of interweaving notions of enlightenment and Catholic reform. While many thinkers in Spain rallied for the enlightened notion of progress, Climent employed a language of classical republicanism in the Christian guise of admiration and emulation of the early Church. Unlike many reformers in his day and age, Climent had no qualms about explicitly identifying the key obstructions to his reforms while foreseeing the obstacles with exceptional lucidity.