French cardinal; bishop of Lille (1928-68). Created a cardinal in 1930. He championed social reform, trade unionism, and the Worker Priest movement. A leading figure during Vatican Council II.
 
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed, two sides of Bishop of Lille letterhead. Dated 11 March 1948.  Presumably written to then papal nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Roncalli (future Pope St. John XXIII).  Reads:  I have received with profound gratitude the gift of 50,000 Francs that Your Excellency had the goodness to send to us in the name of the Holy Father, for the neediest priests of the diocese of Lille.  I will be careful to distribute it without delay to about ten of my priests whose situations are particularly difficult, and I will express on their behalf their gratitude to the Holy Father who has shown such great concern for all of the afflictions of His children.  Please convey to His Holiness the expression of my most sincere thanks and may he receive the homage of my respectful devotion...