Definition

Noun: 1. A policy or principle, especially within the Roman Catholic Church, advocating the supreme and absolute authority of the pope in matters of faith, discipline, and governance. It emphasizes centralization of power in the papacy over national or regional church bodies.

Usage

• Ultramontanism is used as a singular, uncountable noun to describe a specific theological and political position.
• It is most commonly discussed in historical, religious, and political contexts concerning the structure and authority of the Catholic Church.

Examples

• The rise of ultramontanism in the 19th century strengthened the pope's influence over local bishops.
• Historians debate the impact of ultramontanism on the relationship between the Church and modern nation-states.
• His writings strongly opposed ultramontanism and favored greater autonomy for national churches.

Advanced Usage

• Ultramontanism is often contrasted with Gallicanism, a French doctrine that supported restrictions on papal power in favor of the authority of monarchs and national churches.
• The term can be used more broadly, though less commonly, to describe any excessive deference to a central, foreign authority.

Variants and Related Words

• Ultramontane (adjective): Pertaining to or supporting ultramontanism.
  • The ultramontane faction argued for the declaration of papal infallibility.
• Ultramontane (noun): A person who supports ultramontanism.
  • The council was divided between ultramontanes and their opponents.

Synonyms

• Papalism
• Papal supremacy
• Centralism (in this specific ecclesiastical context)

Antonyms

• Gallicanism
• Conciliarism (which holds that supreme authority resides in an ecumenical council)
• Nationalism (in an ecclesiastical context)
• Decentralization

Noun

1. (Roman Catholic Church) the policy that the absolute authority of the church should be vested in the pope