Thomas Fleming (archbishop)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Fleming was an Irish Franciscan
and Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.
He was son of the Baron of Slane. He studied at the Franciscan College of Leuven, became a priest of the Franciscan Order, and after finishing his studies continued at the Catholic University of Leuven
for a number of years as professor. In October 1623, he was appointed by Pope Urban VIII
to Dublin as successor of Archbishop Matthews.
His appointment gave great offense to opponents of the religious orders, and a bitter onslaught was begun against the new archbishop by the priest Paul Harris, in his Olfactorium and other brochures. Archbishop Fleming convened and presided at a provincial synod of the province of Dublin in 1640. When the Confederate war broke out (1641–1642) the archbishop, though rather a man of peace, felt constrained to take sides with the Confederates and despatched a procurator to represent him at the synod of the clergy held in Kilkenny
(May 1642). Later on, when the general assembly was convoked at Kilkenny for October, the archbishop resolved to attend personally and take part in the deliberations.
As might be expected from his antecedents, and especially from his connection with the Anglo-Irish nobility of the Pale
, he was opposed to the "thorough" policy of the Old Irish, and wished for peace at all costs. In 1643 he was one of the prelates who signed the commission empowering representatives of the Confederates to treat with James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormonde
for a cessation of hostilities. He also opposed Pierfrancesco Scarampi
and Giovanni Battista Rinuccini
, the latter of whom was strongly identified with the Old-Irish party.
In 1649, when all was lost, and the defeated Irish were confronted with Oliver Cromwell
, a reconciliation was effected with Ormonde at a synod of bishops, a step which Archbishop Fleming favoured. But even then King Charles could not recognize his real friends, and the alliance was broken off.
The remainder of the archbishop's life was much disturbed by religious persecution carried on by the government of Cromwell. He died in 1655. Until 1669 no successor could be appointed. The diocese was administered by vicars until the nomination of Archbishop Peter Talbot
in 1669.
In appearance he was described unkindly by the Earl of Strafford
as a fat, red-faced man, dressed in a plain black suit, who looked more than a merchant at Leadenhall Market
than a bishop. As Strafford's biographer points out, this plainness and lack of ostentation is surely to the Archbishop's credit.
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
and Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.
He was son of the Baron of Slane. He studied at the Franciscan College of Leuven, became a priest of the Franciscan Order, and after finishing his studies continued at the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
for a number of years as professor. In October 1623, he was appointed by Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions...
to Dublin as successor of Archbishop Matthews.
His appointment gave great offense to opponents of the religious orders, and a bitter onslaught was begun against the new archbishop by the priest Paul Harris, in his Olfactorium and other brochures. Archbishop Fleming convened and presided at a provincial synod of the province of Dublin in 1640. When the Confederate war broke out (1641–1642) the archbishop, though rather a man of peace, felt constrained to take sides with the Confederates and despatched a procurator to represent him at the synod of the clergy held in Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
(May 1642). Later on, when the general assembly was convoked at Kilkenny for October, the archbishop resolved to attend personally and take part in the deliberations.
As might be expected from his antecedents, and especially from his connection with the Anglo-Irish nobility of the Pale
The Pale
The Pale or the English Pale , was the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government in the late Middle Ages. It had reduced by the late 15th century to an area along the east coast stretching from Dalkey, south of Dublin, to the garrison town of Dundalk...
, he was opposed to the "thorough" policy of the Old Irish, and wished for peace at all costs. In 1643 he was one of the prelates who signed the commission empowering representatives of the Confederates to treat with James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormonde
James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormonde
James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormond , was a noble in the Peerage of Ireland.-Ancestry:He was the son of Edmund Butler, Earl of Carrick, Justiciar of Ireland, and Joan FitzGerald, Countess of Carrick...
for a cessation of hostilities. He also opposed Pierfrancesco Scarampi
Pierfrancesco Scarampi
Pierfrancesco Scarampi was a Roman Catholic oratorian and Papal envoy.-Early life and ordination:Scarampi was born into the noble Scarampi family in the Marquisate of Montferrat, today a part of Piedmont, in 1596. He was destined by his parents for the military career, but during a visit to the...
and Giovanni Battista Rinuccini
Giovanni Battista Rinuccini
Giovanni Battista Rinuccini was a Roman Catholic archbishop in the mid seventeenth century. He was a noted legal scholar who became chamberlain to Pope Gregory XV, who made him the Archbishop of Fermo in Italy...
, the latter of whom was strongly identified with the Old-Irish party.
In 1649, when all was lost, and the defeated Irish were confronted with Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
, a reconciliation was effected with Ormonde at a synod of bishops, a step which Archbishop Fleming favoured. But even then King Charles could not recognize his real friends, and the alliance was broken off.
The remainder of the archbishop's life was much disturbed by religious persecution carried on by the government of Cromwell. He died in 1655. Until 1669 no successor could be appointed. The diocese was administered by vicars until the nomination of Archbishop Peter Talbot
Archbishop Peter Talbot
Peter Talbot was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin from 1669 to his death.- Early life :Talbot was born at Malahide, County Dublin, Ireland, in 1620. At an early age he entered the Society of Jesus in Portugal. He was ordained a priest at Rome, and for some years thereafter held the chair...
in 1669.
In appearance he was described unkindly by the Earl of Strafford
Earl of Strafford
Earl of Strafford is a title that has been created three times in English and British history.The first creation was in the Peerage of England in 1640 for Thomas Wentworth, 1st Baron Wentworth, the close advisor of King Charles I...
as a fat, red-faced man, dressed in a plain black suit, who looked more than a merchant at Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market is a covered market in the City of London, located at Gracechurch Street but with vehicular access also available via Whittington Avenue to the north and Lime Street to the south and east and additional pedestrian access via a number of narrow passageways.-History:The market dates...
than a bishop. As Strafford's biographer points out, this plainness and lack of ostentation is surely to the Archbishop's credit.