Colbert of Castlehill's Social Thinking as Shown by His Work on the Comité de mendicité

Jean-Baptiste Masméjan recalls that Seignelay Colbert de Castlehill was constantly preoccupied with the treatment of the indigent. Initially vicar general in Toulouse, he served in this capacity under Archbishop Loménie de Brienne. Loménie de Brienne chaired a commission on begging at the request of the Controller General of Finance, Turgot, which, although short-lived, was an ambitious liberal project. As bishop of Rodez and president of the provincial assembly of Haute-Guyenne, Colbert de Castlehill set out to provide local relief by establishing charity workshops and supporting charitable foundations. Elected as a deputy of the clergy to the General Estates, it was only natural that he should find himself a member of the Begging Committee, which he joined as vice-president. However, it seems that this enlightened prelate was torn between the new ideas of assistance and the defense of the Church's interests. The Bishop of Rodez remained committed to the protection of Church property and the role of the clergy in providing assistance. Nevertheless, his involvement with the Committee has been consistent. Most of his work focused on hospital issues and the treatment of incurable patients.