How did Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand defend the privileges of the French church?

Between 1780 and 1785, while serving as the agent general of the clergy, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand acted as the primary representative of the French church in its dealings with the government. During this period, he vigorously defended the institution's controversial privileges through several key actions:

• Property Rights: He fought tenaciously to ensure the church retained ownership of all its property.1
• Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction: He defended the church's legal authority against encroachments by royal justice.1
• Taxation: He argued for the continued exemption of the clergy from ordinary taxes.1
• Advocacy: He played a role in efforts to raise the standard of living for the lower clergy.1

These efforts were instrumental in securing his appointment as the bishop of Autun in 1788. However, his stance shifted dramatically during the French Revolution, when he famously advocated for the repeal of the tithe and the nationalization of church property.12