Edouard Brunod

Archdeacon of the Cathedral of Aosta, distinguished theologian and expert in canon law and sacred art, Edouard Brunod was born in Ayas on 15 June 1904. Ordained priest in 1927, he obtained a degree in theology from the Gregorian University of Rome, followed by degrees in canon law and civil law. Chancellor and judge of the diocesan tribunal and advocate of the Sacred Roman Rota, he was later appointed deputy official of the Regional Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Piedmont. Personal secretary to Bishop Imberti, in Aosta he held several important positions, lastly that of Vicar General of the diocese. Deeply interested in the ecclesiastical artistic heritage, particularly in the preservation of the works kept in the Cathedral, he was responsible for a long and patient effort to catalogue the buildings and artworks preserved in the parishes. This work culminated in the compilation of 125 handwritten volumes and contributed decisively to curbing the dispersal of the sacred art heritage in the Diocese of Aosta. The Cultural Heritage Superintendence was thus able to draw up a detailed list of stolen works of art: several wooden sculptures that had ended up in Italian and foreign museums following irregular purchases on the antiquities market, and whose provenance had remained unknown, were consequently restored to their original setting. Edouard Brunod died on 24 January 1988 at the hospital in Aosta.

Information taken from “Les cent du Millénaire”, 2000, Conseil de la Vallée with additional material provided by the Aosta Library.