Apostolic Vicariate of the Northern District (England) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Apostolic Vicariate of the Northern District |
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|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | England |
| Territory | Counties of Cumberland, Durham, Northumberland, and Westmorland, and until 1840 also Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and the Isle of Man |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Established | 30 January 1688 |
| Dissolved | 29 September 1850 |
The Apostolic Vicariate of the Northern District was an important area for the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. It was like a special church region. This area was led by a vicar apostolic, who was a titular bishop. This means they had the title of a bishop, but didn't oversee a traditional diocese.
The Apostolic Vicariate of the Northern District started in 1688. It ended in 1850. After that, it became the Diocese of Hexham. This diocese later changed its name to the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle in 1861.
Contents
Why it Started
After Queen Elizabeth I became queen, things changed for bishops in England. They had to choose between agreeing with the Queen as the head of the church or staying loyal to the Pope. If they chose the Pope, they lost their church positions.
Many bishops who stayed loyal to Rome were removed from their roles. They were replaced by priests from the Church of England. Most of these removed bishops were put in prison. They died there over many years. Some left the country and continued their work elsewhere. The last of these bishops was Thomas Goldwell. He was the Bishop of St Asaph and died in Rome in 1585.
The First Vicar Apostolic of England
The role of Vicar Apostolic was created in 1622. This was to make sure there was a Roman Catholic bishop in England. So, Dr William Bishop was chosen for this role. He was called the Vicar Apostolic of England.
He died soon after his appointment. Dr Richard Smith took his place. But in 1631, Dr Smith had to resign and escape to France. The position stayed empty for a while. It was brought back in 1685. That's when Dr John Leyburn became the Vicar Apostolic and bishop.
How the Church Areas Were Organized
In 1623, Dr Bishop, the first Vicar Apostolic, divided England into six areas. He put a leader, called a vicar general, in charge of each area. This setup stayed the same for some time.
Later, Dr Leyburn reduced the number of areas from six to four. Based on these four areas, Pope Innocent XI decided to have four bishops in England. This happened on January 30, 1688. The original single Vicariate Apostolic was then made smaller. It became the Apostolic Vicariate of the London District.
This is how the Apostolic Vicariate of the Northern District was created. Two other districts were also formed: the Apostolic Vicariate of the Midland District and the Apostolic Vicariate of the Western District.
The Northern District covered many historic counties. These included Cheshire, Cumberland, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Westmorland, and Yorkshire. It also included the Isle of Man. The first Vicar Apostolic for this district was Bishop James Smith. He passed away in 1711.
After a gap, Bishop George Witham took over in 1716. He had been the Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District before. In 1840, the Northern District became smaller. It lost about half its land when the Lancashire and Yorkshire districts were created. Even with some difficult times, the Apostolic Vicariate of the Northern District continued until 1850.
Leaders of the Northern District
Here is a list of the bishops who led the Northern District:
| Vicars Apostolic of the Northern District | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1688 | 1711 | James Smith, Titular Bishop of Callipolis |
Appointed vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 28 January 1688. Consecrated on 13 May 1688. Died in office on 13 May 1711. |
| 1711 | 1716 | Vacant | |
| 1716 | 1725 | George Witham, Titular Bishop of Marcopolis |
Translated from the Midland District. Appointed Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District on 6 April 1716. Died in office on 16 April 1725. |
| 1725 | 1740 | Thomas Dominic Williams, O.P., Titular Bishop of Tiberiopolis |
Appointed vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 11 December 1725. Consecrated on 30 December 1725. Died in office on 3 April 1740. |
| 1740 | 1752 | Edward Dicconson, Titular Bishop of Mallus |
Appointed vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 6 October 1740. Consecrated on 19 March 1741. Died in office on 24 April 1752. |
| 1752 | 1775 | Francis Petre, Titular Bishop of Amorium |
Appointed coadjutor vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 27 July 1750. Consecrated on 27 July 1751. Succeeded vicar apostolic on 5 May 1752. Died in office on 24 December 1775. |
| 1768 | 1769 | (William Maire, Titular Bishop of Cinna) |
Appointed coadjutor vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 1 October 1768. Consecrated on 29 May 1768. Died without succeeding on 25 July 1769. |
| 1775 | 1780 | William Walton, Titular Bishop of Dragobitia (Drago) |
Ordained to the priesthood in 1741. Appointed coadjutor vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 18 July 1770. Succeeded vicar apostolic on 24 December 1775. Died in office on 26 February 1780. |
| 1780 | 1790 | Matthew Gibson, Titular Bishop of Comana Armeniae |
Appointed vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 17 June 1780. Consecrated on 3 September 1780. Died in office on 17 May 1790. |
| 1790 | 1821 | William Gibson, Titular Bishop of Achantus |
Appointed vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 10 September 1790. Consecrated on 5 December 1790. Died in office on 2 June 1821. |
| 1821 | 1831 | Thomas Smith, Titular Bishop of Bolina |
Appointed coadjutor vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 15 May 1807. Consecrated on 10 March 1810. Succeeded vicar apostolic on 2 June 1821. Died in office on 30 July 1831. |
| 1831 | 1836 | Thomas Penswick, Titular Bishop of Europus |
Appointed vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 13 January 1824. Consecrated on 29 June 1824. Died in office on 28 January 1836. |
| 1836 | 1840 | John Briggs, Titular Bishop of Trachis |
Appointed coadjutor vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 22 January 1833. Consecrated on 29 June 1833. Succeeded vicar apostolic on 28 January 1836. Translated to the Yorkshire District on 3 July 1840. |
| 1840 | 1847 | Francis George Mostyn, Titular Bishop of Abydus |
Appointed vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 22 September 1840. Consecrated on 21 December 1840. Died in office on 11 August 1847. |
| Aug 1847 | Nov 1847 | William Riddell, Titular Bishop of Lagania |
Appointed coadjutor vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 22 December 1843. Consecrated on 17 March 1844. Succeeded vicar apostolic on 11 August 1847. Died in office on 2 November 1847. |
| 1848 | 1850 | William Hogarth, Titular Bishop of Samosata |
Appointed vicar apostolic and titular bishop on 28 July 1848. Consecrated on 24 August 1848. Appointed Bishop of Hexham on 29 September 1850 when the district elevated to a diocese. The episcopal title changed to Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle on 23 May 1861. |
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Becoming the Diocese of Hexham
The last Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District was Bishop William Hogarth. On September 30, 1850, he became the Bishop of Hexham. Just one day before, on September 29, Pope Pius IX issued an important document. It was called the Universalis Ecclesiae (which means "Of the Universal Church").
This document created thirteen new dioceses. This event is known as the restoration of the English hierarchy. One of these new dioceses was the diocese of Hexham. This new area officially replaced the old Vicariate. In 1861, the Diocese of Hexham was renamed the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Its leader then took the title of Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. This title is still used today.
See also
- Catholic Church hierarchy
- Catholic Church in England and Wales
- Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
- Roman Catholic bishops
- Roman Catholicism in England and Wales
