Power Play in the Norbertine Order and the Roman Curia: J. Nouwens O.Praem., Cardinal van Rossum, and the modernization of Vatican bureaucracy 1910-1922

In the first decades of the twentieth century, the Roman curia tried to strengthen its hold on the increasing number of religious. Uniformization and centralization of orders and congregations simplified Roman control. Regulations of the Congregation for Religious (1908) and the Codex luris Canonici...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trajecta
Authors: Poels, Vefie (Author) ; Sengers, Erik 1971- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Amsterdam University Press [2018]
In: Trajecta
IxTheo Classification:KAH Church history 1648-1913; modern history
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
KBD Benelux countries
KDB Roman Catholic Church
RB Church office; congregation
Further subjects:B Religious Institutions
B Modernization (Social science)
B Premonstratensian nuns
B Bureaucracy; Italy
B Papal courts
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Summary:In the first decades of the twentieth century, the Roman curia tried to strengthen its hold on the increasing number of religious. Uniformization and centralization of orders and congregations simplified Roman control. Regulations of the Congregation for Religious (1908) and the Codex luris Canonici (1917) helped to reach this goal. At the same time, religious institutes tried to pursue their own policies. As a matter of fact, the relationship between religious institutes and the Vatican was not always without strains. As an illustration, in this case study, we focus on the quite mysterious removal from Rome of J. Nouwens O.Praem., the procurator generalis or representative of the Norbertine Order at the Roman curia. Recent investigations in several archives show that the Dutch Cardinal W.M. van Rossum C.Ss.R., cardinal protector of the Norbertines, was involved in the career of Nouwens. The two men worked close together, until Nouwens was condemned by the Holy Office in January 1920 and was dismissed as procurator. Since Nouwens's behaviour became a liability to Van Rossum's position at the Roman curia, the cardinal made every effort to get Nouwens removed from the Norbertine order. At last, in September 1922, Nouwens requested for dispensation of his solemn vows and for dismissal from the priesthood.
ISSN:2665-9484
Contains:Enthalten in: Trajecta