L’« histoire des religions » à l’Université de Louvain, de la création du Muséon (1881–1882) à la première Semaines d’ethnologie religieuse (Louvain 1912) : le « cas » du chanoine Philémon Colinet (1853–1917)

Abstract

Beginnings of scientific reflection over the history of religion in Catholic University in Leuven were connected with organizing so-called Catholic Week of Religious Ethnology, and also with an origin of the first scientific journal on Oriental studies and the history of religion (Muséon 1882). The goal of the week, in the idea of the organizers, was to help missionaries by providing them with ethnological knowledge and arguments defending the idea. All the information was worked out by scientists dealing with ethnology, Oriental studies, and also comparative history of religion. Cardinal D.J Mercier, an honourable patron of the event, played a crucial role while organizing the meetings. While P. Colinet, an orientalist, stood against organizing the event.