PITTS THEOLOGY LIBRARY
ARCHIVES AND MANUSCRIPTS DEPT.
ERRINGTON, GEORGE, 1804-1886.
George Errington letters, 1858-1861.
MANUSCRIPT NUMBER 295
EXTENT: .01 cubic ft. (1 folder)
ACCESS: Unrestricted
REPRODUCTION: All requests subject to limitations noted in
departmental policies on reproduction.
COPYRIGHT: Information on copyright (literary rights) available from
repository.
CITATION: George Errington letters, MSS 295, Archives and
Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University.
Biographical Note
George Errington, Catholic Archbishop, was born September 14, 1804 in
Yorkshire. From an early age he seemed committed to the church,
moving to Rome’s English College for ecclesiastical studies just after
finishing his studies at St. Cuthbert’s college. After his
ordination, Errington began his close relationship with Cardinal
Wiseman by acting as Vice Rector under him at English College.
After a bout of illness, Errington and Wiseman traveled to England
where Errington presided over St. Mary’s college, and took on several
missionary appointments.
With the new Catholic hierarchy, Errington was named first bishop to
Plymouth, but left the position upon being named co-adjutor to
Wiseman. After several other appointments, Errington became known
for his financial prowess as he saved one church from bankruptcy.
After this, the Pope chose Errington to be Bishop of Clifton and ties
between Wiseman were broken. Aside from a few mission
opportunities, Errington retired and spent the end of his life staying
at Prior Park, the Diocese of Clifton, working with students from St.
Paul’s College. He died there on January 19, 1886.
Scope and Content Note
This
collection consists of ten handwritten letters dating between 1858 and
1861. The letters concern the changes in church and college
government brought about by the Catholic Church’s reconstruction of the
Church in England as headed by Cardinal Wiseman. These letters
refer to the three provincial Synods held at Oscott between 1852 and
1859 and the subsequent revising of the constitutions and legislature
of the vicars Apostolic. The collection refers mainly to the
controversy regarding clerical or secular control over Westminster and
other colleges and seminaries, and if the programs would be
administered by the priests or by the Oblates. These letters
provide an intimate look at the political maneuverings within the
Catholic Church at the time.
Last Modified: 04/01/2005