Dr William Clifford, third bishop of Clifton (1857-1892) : his influence at the first Vatican Council and on the English Catholic church
William Clifford (Bishop of Clifton 1857 - 1893) was one of the most influential prelates in the 19th century English Catholic Church. Consecrated at the age of 33, he was the youngest English bishop since the Reformation. In 1865 he was the preferred candidate of Acton and other Catholic liberals for the See of Westminster. His adroit defence of Pio Nonds Syllabus of Errors won him many admirers. At the First vatican Council he spoke to great effect, particularly on the issue of Papal Infallibility. This he saw as distorting the proper balance between the Pope and the college of bishops, and as antagonising unnecessarily those Protestants who were well disposed to the Church. He nevertheless remained loyal and this gave him an added influence in the post conciliar Church. Gladstone's strictures against the Vatican Decrees were brilliantly answered by Clifford who demonstrated that for a catholic there was no conflict of loyal ties as between Pope and Queen. Other issues of the day also claimed his attention. Early attempts at Reunion, the admission of catholic students to the universities, and the long-standing dispute between the bishops and the religious orders were among them. His much acclaimed articles
Harding, John Anthony
Ecclesiastical history
Dr William Clifford, third bishop of Clifton (1857-1892) : his influence at the first Vatican Council and on the English Catholic church. William Clifford (Bishop of Clifton 1857 - 1893) was one of the most influential prelates in the 19th century English Catholic Church. Consecrated at the age of 33, he was the youngest English bishop since the Reformation. In 1865 he was the preferred candidate of Acton and other Catholic liberals for the See of Westminster. His adroit defence of Pio Nonds Syllabus of Errors won him many admirers. At the First vatican Council he spoke to great effect, particularly on the issue of Papal Infallibility. This he saw as distorting the proper balance between the Pope and the college of bishops, and as antagonising unnecessarily those Protestants who were well disposed to the Church. He nevertheless remained loyal and this gave him an added influence in the post conciliar Church. Gladstone's strictures against the Vatican Decrees were brilliantly answered by Clifford who demonstrated that for a catholic there was no conflict of loyal ties as between Pope and Queen. Other issues of the day also claimed his attention. Early attempts at Reunion, the admission of catholic students to the universities, and the long-standing dispute between the bishops and the religious orders were among them. His much acclaimed articles
william third bishop influence first council english catholic church william bishop one_influential english catholic church young english bishop since reformation preferred candidate catholic liberal see westminster defence syllabus errors many first council speak great effect particularly issue papal saw distort proper balance pope college bishop unnecessarily protestants well dispose church nevertheless remain loyal give add influence post conciliar church answer demonstrate catholic conflict loyal tie pope queen issue day also claim attention early attempt admission catholic student university long_standing dispute bishops religious_order among them much acclaim article