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The Apostolic Vicariate of the Midland District
(later of the Central District)
Location
Country England
Territory Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire, and until 1840 also Cambridgeshire (with the Isle of Ely), Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, and Rutland
Information
Denomination Roman Catholic
Rite Latin Rite
Established as the Midland District on 30 January 1688 and renamed the Central District on 3 July 1840
Dissolved 29 September 1850

The Apostolic Vicariate of the Midland District (later called the Central District) was a special area of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. It was led by a leader called an apostolic vicar, who was a titular bishop (a bishop with a title but no actual diocese). The Midland District was created in 1688. Its name changed to the Central District in 1840. This district was closed in 1850 and was replaced by two new church areas.

Why was this district created?

After Queen Elizabeth I became queen, bishops in England had to choose. They could either agree that the Queen was the head of the church (the Oath of Supremacy) or stay loyal to the Pope. Those who stayed loyal to the Pope lost their positions. They were replaced by priests from the Church of England. Many of these bishops were put in prison. Some left the country to continue their work. The last of these bishops, Thomas Goldwell, died in Rome in 1585.

How did the Church restart in England?

In 1623, Pope Urban VIII decided to appoint a bishop for England again. This bishop was Dr William Bishop, who became the first Apostolic Vicar of England. He died soon after. Dr Richard Smith took his place. But in 1631, Dr Smith had to resign and flee to France. The position remained empty until 1685. Then, Dr John Leyburn was appointed as the new Apostolic Vicar.

How was England divided for the Church?

In 1623, Dr Bishop divided England into six areas. He put a leader in charge of each area. Later, Dr Leyburn reduced these six areas to four.

The creation of the Midland District

On January 20, 1688, Pope Innocent XI decided to have four bishops in England. This meant the original single area was split up. The Apostolic Vicariate of the London District was one part. The Midland District was created, along with the Northern and Western Districts.

The first leader of the Midland District was Bishop Bonaventure Giffard. He started on January 30, 1688. In 1703, he moved to lead the London District.

What counties were in the Midland District?

The Midland District covered many historic counties. These included Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Huntingdonshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.

Changes to the Midland District

The Midland District continued to exist for many years. In 1840, the four existing districts were divided even further. The Midland District was renamed the Central District on July 3, 1840. However, it lost some of its counties. These counties were Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, and Rutland. They became part of the new Eastern District.

The Central District lasted only ten years. On September 29, 1850, Pope Pius IX created thirteen new dioceses (church areas). This event is known as the restoration of the English hierarchy. The Diocese of Birmingham was one of these new areas. It officially replaced the Central District.

The last Apostolic Vicar of the Midland District was Bishop Thomas Walsh. From 1840 to 1847, he held the new title of Vicar Apostolic of the Central District.

Who became the Bishop of Birmingham?

Bishop Walsh was followed by William Bernard Ullathorne. He became the Apostolic Vicar of the Central District. On September 29, 1850, he received the new title of Bishop of Birmingham. Later, in 1911, the title became the Metropolitan Archbishop of Birmingham.

List of Apostolic Vicars

Apostolic Vicars of the Midland District

Apostolic Vicars of the Midland District
From Until Incumbent Notes
1687 1703 Bonaventure Giffard
Titular Bishop of Madaurus
Appointed apostolic vicar on 25 November 1687 and confirmed on 28 January 1688; also appointed titular bishop on 28 February 1688 and consecrated on 22 April 1688; moved to the London District on 14 March 1703
1702 1716 George Witham
Titular Bishop of Marcopolis
Appointed apostolic vicar and titular bishop on 12 August 1702; consecrated on 15 April 1703; moved to the Northern District on 6 April 1716
1715 1756 John Talbot Stonor
Titular Bishop of Thespiae
Appointed apostolic vicar and titular bishop on 18 September 1715; on consecrated 9 August 1716; died in office on 29 March 1756
1756 1778 John Joseph Hornyold
Titular Bishop of Philomelium
Appointed coadjutor apostolic vicar and titular bishop on 20 December 1751; consecrated on 10 February 1752; succeeded on 29 March 1756; died in office on 26 December 1778
1778 1795 Thomas Joseph Talbot
Titular Bishop of Acone
Appointed coadjutor apostolic vicar and titular bishop on 26 February 1766; consecrated in March 1766; succeeded on 26 December 1778; died in office in April 1795
1795 1798 Charles Berington
Titular Bishop of Hierocaesarea
Appointed coadjutor apostolic vicar and titular bishop on 2 June 1786; consecrated on 1 August 1786; succeeded on 24 April 1795; died in office on 8 June 1798
1800 1802 Gregory Stapleton
Titular Bishop of Hierocaesarea
Appointed apostolic vicar and titular bishop on 7 November 1800; consecrated on 8 March 1801; died in office on 23 May 1802
1803 1826 John Milner
Titular Bishop of Castabala
Appointed apostolic vicar and titular bishop on 6 March 1803; consecrated on 22 May 1803; died in office on 19 April 1826
1826 1840 Thomas Walsh
Titular Bishop of Cambysopolis
Appointed coadjutor apostolic vicar and titular bishop on 28 January 1825; consecrated on 1 May 1825; succeeded on 19 April 1826; through district rename, he became the apostolic vicar of the Central District on 3 July 1840
May 1840 July 1840 Nicholas Wiseman,
Titular Bishop of Milopotamus
Appointed coadjutor apostolic vicar of the Midland District and titular bishop on 22 May 1840; consecrated on 8 June 1840; through district rename, he became coadjutor apostolic vicar of the Central District on 3 July 1840.
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Apostolic Vicars of the Central District

Apostolic Vicars of the Central District
From Until Incumbent Notes
1840 1848 Thomas Walsh
Titular Bishop of Cambysopolis
Hitherto apostolic vicar of the Midland District; became apostolic vicar of the Central District on 3 July 1840; moved to the London District on 17 July 1848
1840 1847 Nicholas Wiseman,
Titular Bishop of Milopotamus
Hitherto coadjutor apostolic vicar of the Midland District; became coadjutor apostolic vicar of Central District on 3 July 1840; before succeeding, he was appointed coadjutor apostolic vicar of the London District on 29 August 1847
1848 1850 William Bernard Ullathorne, O.S.B.,
Titular Bishop of Etalonia
Formerly Apostolic Vicar of the Western District (1846–1848); appointed apostolic vicar of the Central District on 28 July 1848; became the first Bishop of Birmingham on 29 September 1850
In 1850, the title was dissolved and replaced by the bishoprics of Birmingham and Shrewsbury.
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