Cisalpinism
Encyclopedia
Cisalpinism was a movement amongst English Roman Catholics arguing that Catholicism
, while not rejecting the supreme teaching authority of the Pope
, should not be based on his dominance.
This traditionalist but non-authoritarian view of Catholicism was common in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and stressed the English
as well as the Roman
dimension to the Roman Catholic Church
in England, particularly in the sense of allegiance to the Crown as symbol of the liberties of Englishmen not being incompatible with allegiance to the Pope as guarantee of authentic Christian
teaching. Cisalpinism supposedly sought accommodation of the English Roman Catholic Church within the Protestant State in the 17th century, when the Penal Laws persecuting the Catholic Church were still in place. 30 Catholic Laymen met in 1782 to elect a "Catholic Committee" of five.
Although it looked liked a way to safeguard the English Catholic population, Bishop Charles Walmesley
(1722-1797), the Vicar Apostolic of the west of England, thought Cisalpinism would mean a new oath of allegiance
that would "exclude the Pope's spiritual jurisdiction" and "diminish our dependence in spirituals on the Church in Rome, and by degrees to shake it off entirely; likewise to take off the abstinence of Saturday, to reduce Lent
to a fortnight before Easter
, and to have the Liturgy in English".
After the publication of the "Staffordshire Creed" published by some Staffordshire
clergy to Bishop Walmesley complaining about the excommunication of the Benedictine
Joseph Wilks which among other things contained the Rights of the Priesthood against the Episcopacy (at a time when many Catholic laity
were still been accused of treason).
In 1797 Bishop Walmesley publicly excommunicated the signatories of the "Staffordshire Creed". One of the defenders of the Cisalpine tradition who even objected to the Asperges
(sprinkling of Holy Water
) before Mass was John Lingard
, author of the hymn Hail Queen of Heaven the Ocean Star and first Rector of Ushaw College Seminary
. Fr Daniel Rock continued briefly elements of the Cisalpine tradition and was chaplain to Lord Shrewsbury of Alton Towers
from 1827 to 1841. It was the chance meeting at Alton Towers
of Lord Shrewsbury with Fr F W Faber that promoted Ultramontanism
.
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
, while not rejecting the supreme teaching authority of the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, should not be based on his dominance.
This traditionalist but non-authoritarian view of Catholicism was common in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and stressed the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
as well as the Roman
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
dimension to the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in England, particularly in the sense of allegiance to the Crown as symbol of the liberties of Englishmen not being incompatible with allegiance to the Pope as guarantee of authentic Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
teaching. Cisalpinism supposedly sought accommodation of the English Roman Catholic Church within the Protestant State in the 17th century, when the Penal Laws persecuting the Catholic Church were still in place. 30 Catholic Laymen met in 1782 to elect a "Catholic Committee" of five.
Although it looked liked a way to safeguard the English Catholic population, Bishop Charles Walmesley
Charles Walmesley
Charles Walmesley Pastorino, O.S.B. was the Roman Catholic Titular Bishop of Rama and Vicar Apostolic of the Western District of England...
(1722-1797), the Vicar Apostolic of the west of England, thought Cisalpinism would mean a new oath of allegiance
Oath of allegiance
An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the country's constitution. For example, officials in the United States, a republic, take an oath of office that...
that would "exclude the Pope's spiritual jurisdiction" and "diminish our dependence in spirituals on the Church in Rome, and by degrees to shake it off entirely; likewise to take off the abstinence of Saturday, to reduce Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
to a fortnight before Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
, and to have the Liturgy in English".
After the publication of the "Staffordshire Creed" published by some Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
clergy to Bishop Walmesley complaining about the excommunication of the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
Joseph Wilks which among other things contained the Rights of the Priesthood against the Episcopacy (at a time when many Catholic laity
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
were still been accused of treason).
In 1797 Bishop Walmesley publicly excommunicated the signatories of the "Staffordshire Creed". One of the defenders of the Cisalpine tradition who even objected to the Asperges
Asperges
Asperges is a name given to the rite of sprinkling a congregation with holy water. The name comes from the first word in the 9th verse of Psalm 51 in the Latin translation, the Vulgate, which is sung during the Traditional form of the rite, except during Eastertide...
(sprinkling of Holy Water
Holy Water
Holy Water is the ninth studio album by hard rock band Bad Company, and their third with Brian Howe in place of Paul Rodgers as lead vocalist, released in June 1990. The singles on the album all received moderate radio airplay. These included "Holy Water", "Boys Cry Tough", "Walk Through Fire", and...
) before Mass was John Lingard
John Lingard
Dr. John Lingard was an English Catholic priest, born in St Thomas Street in Central Winchester to recusant parents and the author of The History Of England, From the First Invasion by the Romans to the Accession of Henry VIII, an 8-volume work published in 1819...
, author of the hymn Hail Queen of Heaven the Ocean Star and first Rector of Ushaw College Seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
. Fr Daniel Rock continued briefly elements of the Cisalpine tradition and was chaplain to Lord Shrewsbury of Alton Towers
Earl of Shrewsbury
Earl of Shrewsbury is a hereditary title of nobility created twice in the peerage of England.-First creation, 1074:The first creation occurred in 1074 for Roger de Montgomerie, one of William the Conqueror's principal counselors...
from 1827 to 1841. It was the chance meeting at Alton Towers
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
of Lord Shrewsbury with Fr F W Faber that promoted Ultramontanism
Ultramontanism
Ultramontanism is a religious philosophy within the Roman Catholic community that places strong emphasis on the prerogatives and powers of the Pope...
.