Bergson and the Index of Prohibited Books

Résumé 0

Since 1998, both the congregation for the Doctrine of Faith–which inherited the archives of the Holy Office's congregation–and the Index Congregation have made available historical documents in their possession. Until this very recent date, these documents were completely inaccessible to the public. Historians are thus in quite a new situation and have access to information that may shed more light on poorly understood historical incidents. Thus, a book edition carrying all the information on Alfred Loisy's condemnation, issued by a decree from the Holy Office on December 16, 1903, and excommunication in 1908 shall soon be published. As compared to this voluminous book, the thin Index booklet on Henri Bergson's first three books occupies just a very modest place. However, its publication should reveal some details previously unknown to the philosopher's biographers.