Apostolic Vicariate of the London District facts for kids

The Apostolic Vicariate of the London District was an important area for the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. It was led by a special bishop called a vicar apostolic. This church area was created in 1688. It stopped existing in 1850. Its area was then split into two new church regions: Westminster and Southwark.

What is an Apostolic Vicariate?

An apostolic vicariate is a special type of church area. It is set up in places where the Catholic Church is still growing. It's like a temporary church region. It is directly controlled by the Pope in Rome. The bishop in charge is called a vicar apostolic. This bishop usually has a "titular" bishop title. This means he is a bishop of a place that no longer exists.

Why was it created?

After Queen Elizabeth I became queen in 1559, things changed for the Catholic Church in England. Bishops had to choose. They could agree that the Queen was the head of the church. Or they could stay loyal to the Pope. Many bishops chose to stay loyal to the Pope. They lost their positions. They were often put in prison. Some left the country. For many years, there was no Catholic bishop in England.

The First Catholic Bishops in England

In 1623, after 65 years, the Pope appointed a new bishop for England. His name was William Bishop. He was given the title of Apostolic Vicar of England. Bishop arrived secretly in England. But he died just nine months later.

Richard Smith took over after Bishop. He arrived in England in 1625. But warrants were issued for his arrest. He had to leave England and flee to France. For 54 years after 1631, there was no Catholic bishop in England.

In 1685, John Leyburn was appointed. He was a smart scholar. He became a bishop in Rome. Before Leyburn, England was divided into six church areas. Leyburn changed this to four areas. In 1687, he traveled around Northern England. He confirmed over 20,000 Catholics.

The London District is Formed

On January 30, 1688, the Pope made a big change. He increased the number of bishops in England to four. This meant the single apostolic vicariate was split. It became four new districts:

• The London District
• The Midland District
• The Northern District
• The Western District

Bishop John Leyburn became the first vicar apostolic of the London District. He had been the only vicar apostolic for all of England before this.

London District's Wider Reach

In 1688, the London District also became responsible for Catholics in the British colonies in the New World. This included places like Newfoundland and the future United States.

However, this responsibility changed over time:

• In Newfoundland, it ended in 1784. A new church area was created there.
• In the United States, it ended in 1784. A new church area was also created there.

The End of the London District

The London District continued to exist for many years. Even with some difficult times for Catholics, it remained. On September 29, 1850, Pope Pius IX made another big change. He issued an important document called a "papal bull." This document created thirteen new dioceses (church regions).

Part of the London District became the new Diocese of Westminster. This became a very important church area. The rest of the London District became the Diocese of Southwark.

The last leader of the London District was Bishop Nicholas Wiseman. In 1850, he became the first Archbishop of Westminster. The very next day, he was made a cardinal. This meant the London District was no longer a "missionary territory." It became a regular part of the Catholic Church in England.

Leaders of the London District

Here are the bishops who led the London District:

See also

• Religion in the United Kingdom
• Roman Catholicism in England and Wales
• Roman Catholicism in the United Kingdom
• Lists of office-holders
• Apostolic Prefecture of the United States
• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore (United States)