Loading...
Larger font
Smaller font
Copy
Print
Contents

The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

 - Contents
  • Results
  • Related
  • Featured
No results found for: "".
  • Weighted Relevancy
  • Content Sequence
  • Relevancy
  • Earliest First
  • Latest First
    Larger font
    Smaller font
    Copy
    Print
    Contents

    VIII. Capitulation of the Milan Diocese

    1. MILAN RESISTS FOR CENTURIES

    It has been noted that the powerful diocese of Milan-originally including the plains of Lombardy and the Piedmont Alps and southern Gaul- was for centuries practically autonomous and not subservient to the papal claim. 49Allix, Churches of Piedmont, chap. 1. McCrie states:PFF1 824.3

    “The supremacy claimed by the bishops of Rome was resisted in Italy after it had been submitted to by the most remote churches of the west. The diocese of Italy, of which Milan was the capital, remained long independent of Rome, and practised a different ritual, according to what was called the Ambrosian Liturgy.” 50McCrie, Reformation in Italy, p. 9.PFF1 825.1

    And Davison adds:PFF1 825.2

    “Abundantly conscious of the prestige she had enjoyed more or less intermittently since the days of the Roman Empire, she [Milan] was little inclined to submit to any interference or surveillance, lay or ecclesiastical, local or foreign. At this time [llth century] she was one of the strongest cities not only of Italy, but of western Europe. Her influence extended from Mantua to Turin, while her archbishops claimed jurisdiction over more than a score of dioceses....PFF1 825.3

    “Up to this time [1045] the Milanese Church, jealous of its Ambrosian ritual and of the prestige of its famous archbishops, had resisted the efforts put forth by the popes for uniformity of organization.” 51Ellen S. Davison, Forerunners of Saint Francis, pp. 98-100.PFF1 825.4

    Rome’s attempt to subvert the “ancient custom” complained of by Pope Pelagius I, in 555-that the bishops of Milan did not go to Rome for ordination 52Letter in Mansi, oft. cit., vol. 9, col. 730. resulted in still wider estrangement. Platina, speaking of the eleventh century, admits that “for almost 200 years the Church of Milan had separated herself from the Church of Rome.” 53Translated from Platinae Hystoria de Vitis Pontificum, folio [clxj], verso.PFF1 825.5

    2. SUBJUGATION IN THE ELEVENTH CENTURY

    Even then the subjugation of the Milan diocese was accomplished only over the protest of its clergy, and tumult on the part of the people. The clergy and people affirmed that the Ambrosian church ought not to be subject to the laws of Rome; that under their fathers it had always been free, and could not with honor surrender its liberties. And the people broke out into clamor and threatened violence to Peter Damian, the deputy sent to effect their submission. 54Baronius, op. cit., Anno 1059 (1609 ed.), vol. 11, col. 277.PFF1 825.6

    McCrie summarizes the whole situation in these significant words:PFF1 826.1

    “It was not till the eleventh century that the popes succeeded in establishing their authority at Milan, and prevailed on the bishops of that see to procure the archi-episcopal pall from Rome. When this was proposed, it excited great indignation on the part of the people, as well as of the clergy, who maintained that the Ambrosian church had been always independent; that the Roman pontiff had no right to judge in its affairs; and that, without incurring disgrace, they could not subject to a foreign yoke that see which had preserved its freedom during so many ages.” 55McCrie, Reformation in Italy, p. 9.PFF1 826.2

    But long after that north Italy was regarded as infested with heresies, for the spirit of independence would not be downed. And Milan long remained a center for later reactionary groups.PFF1 826.3

    There were many such groups in the west, as we have seen-some genuine heretics, some semipolitical or social reformers, some connected with eastern groups like the Paulicians, some tinged with Manichaean ideas.PFF1 826.4

    Larger font
    Smaller font
    Copy
    Print
    Contents