Roger le Fort was a 14th-century French prelate who served as the archbishop of Bourges. Born around 1285 in Cantal, he received an education in law and literature at the University of Orléans. Throughout his ecclesiastical career, he held several significant positions, including serving as the bishop of Orléans and later the bishop of Limoges. He is recognized as a blessed in the Catholic Church for his dedicated service and charitable works.
Ecclesiastical career
After studying law, Roger became a canon in Rouen and a dean in Bourges. Although he initially resisted the appointment, he became the bishop of Orléans in 1321. He later moved to the see of Limoges in 1328 and eventually reached the position of archbishop of Bourges in 1343. He was also a noted professor of both secular and canon law.
Charitable works
Known for his compassion, Roger focused on assisting the sick and the poor within his dioceses. In Bourges, he established a hospital, while at his family estate, he founded a Cistercian priory. Upon his death in 1367, he left his entire fortune to those in need, having lived as a significant benefactor to the community.
Veneration
The Catholic Church honors him as a blessed, with feast days observed on February 28 or March 1 in various regions. In religious art, he is typically depicted wearing episcopal garments and holding a book and a cross.