Ultramontanism

As Preparations for the First Vatican Council Took Place, French Liberals Struggled to Organize Themselves

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As Preparations for the First Vatican Council Took Place, French Liberals Struggled to Organize Themselves

When Pius IX published the bull Aeterni Patris convening the First Vatican Council in 1868, Ultramontanism was practically victorious in France. The Catholic movement had received a vigorous boost from the apostolate of the nineteenth century’s early Ultramontanes. Throughout the century, it advanced and remained steadfastly orthodox despite some leaders’ attempts to … Read more

Father Dupanloup Engineers the Victory of Liberal French Catholicism

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Father Dupanloup Engineers the Victory of Liberal French Catholicism

As Minister of Public Instruction, Frédéric Alfred Pierre, Count de Falloux showed the full measure of his political value. Alexis de Tocqueville was utterly indifferent to de Falloux’s ideological orientation. Émile Oliver openly disliked him. Yet, sboth men were profoundly impressed by his abilities. De Tocqueville stated: “Whoever has not seen de … Read more

Ultramontane Portal

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Ultramontane Portal

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the term “ultramontanism” is “a term used to denote integral and active Catholicism, because it recognizes as its spiritual head the pope….” Ultramontanism has its historical roots in the Middle Ages and became popular in the nineteenth century with leading figures such as Blessed Pius IX, St. … Read more

How Catholic Communities Overcame Fierce Protestant Opposition in Nineteenth-Century England

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How Catholic Communities Overcame Fierce Protestant Opposition in Nineteenth-Century England

Many Catholics today are unaware of the immense contributions of the Ultramontanes of the nineteenth century to the resurgence of Catholicism worldwide. Prof. Fernando Furquim de Almeida (1913-1981) studied the Movement and produced dozens of articles detailing its work. We have edited these articles and will be featuring them. They highlight the … Read more

“High Church Anglicanism” Became an Accidental Path to the One True Church and Ultramontanism

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“High Church Anglicanism” Became an Accidental Path to the One True Church and Ultramontanism

The Oxford Movement began shortly after Catholic Lay Leader Daniel O’Connell compelled the English government to suppress some Anglican dioceses in Ireland. The Movement’s “flash point” was a sermon on “National Apostasy” delivered by Anglican Pastor John Keble on July 14, 1833. Pastor Keble’s sermon’s resounded broadly in Protestant circles. Recovering the … Read more

Modernism, Not Ultramontanism, Is the “Synthesis of All Heresies”

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Modernism, Not Ultramontanism, Is the “Synthesis of All Heresies”

In American traditionalist circles, it is becoming fashionable to blame “ultramontanism” for all the ills affecting Catholicism today. Supposedly, Pope Francis is imposing a revolutionary agenda on the Church because of the actions of ultramontanes during the First Vatican Council. Detractors admit that ultramontanes turned traditional Church teaching on papal infallibility and … Read more