was now so completely and generally recognized. It was as ridiculous as it
was illiberal to heap torrents of abuse on the Pope, as if he had sought
to usurp the rights of the Crown, or seize on the territory and revenues
of the established Anglican church. As for himself, he was reviled because
he had received the title of Archbishop of Westminster, whilst, in
reality, as regarded the church of that name, and any territory or
property connected with it, it was only an empty title. He was to be
metropolitan. The title of London was inhibited by law. Southwark was to
be itself a diocese. To have taken the title of a subordinate portion of
the great metropolis, such as Finsbury or Islington, would only have
excited ridicule, and caused the new episcopate to be jeered at.
Westminster was naturally selected, although not by himself, as giving an
honorable and well-known title. He was glad that it was chosen, not
because it was the seat of the courts of law, or of parliament, but
because it brought the real point of the controversy more clearly and
strikingly before the opponents of the hierarchy. “Have we, in anything,
acted contrary to law? And if not, why are we to be blamed?” But he
rejoiced, also, for another reason. The chapter of Westminster had been
the first to protest against the new archiepiscopal title, as though some
practical attempt at jurisdiction within the Abbey had been intended. To
this more than absurd charge, the Cardinal eloquently replied: “The
diocese, indeed, of Westminster, embraces a large district, but
Westminster proper consists of two very different parts. One comprises the
stately Abbey, with its adjacent palaces and its royal parks. To this
portion the duties and occupations of the dean and chapter are mainly
confined, and they shall range there undisturbed. To the venerable old
church I may repair, as I have been wont to do. But perhaps the dean and
chapter are not aware, that were I disposed to claim more than the right
to tread the Catholic pavement of that noble building, and breathe its air
of ancient consecration, another might step in with a prior claim. For
successive generations there has existed ever, in the Benedictine order,
an Abbot of Westminster, the representative in religious dignity of those
who erected and beautified and governed that church and cloister. Have
they ever been disturbed by this titular? Have they heard of any claim or
protest on his part touching their temporalities? Then let them fear no
greater aggression now. Like him, I may visit, as I have said, the old
Abbey, and say my prayer by the shrine of good St. Edward, and meditate on
the olden times, when the church filled without a coronation and
multitudes hourly worshipped without a service. But in their temporal
rights, or their quiet possession of any dignity and title, they will not
suffer. Whenever I go in I will pay my entrance fee, like other liege
subjects, and resign myself meekly to the guidance of the beadle, and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account