Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.53745/ccp.46.89.5
Visitation of Bishop Maximilian Vrhovac to the Cathedral Archdeaconry
Stipe Ledić
; Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Based on archival sources, the canonical visitation of the cathedral archdeaconry, the author discusses the origin, course and end of the intense conflict between the Bishop of Vrhovec and the Zagreb Chapter in the last decade of the eighteenth century. In the period from 1792 to 1794, Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac visited the Cathedral archdeaconry. This included a tour of the cathedral, the Zagreb Chapter and all the associated offices. Vrhovac became the bishop of Zagreb because he was known as a proven advocate of the reforms of Joseph II. His pre-appointment activities and social status were influenced by his membership in the Zagreb branch of Freemasonry, through which he established strong ties with a very prominent and influential lodge in Vienna, which brought together a pro-reformist intellectual elite. This was the reason why Vrhovac, as a young canon, gained the attention and trust of Emperor Joseph II, who appointed him director of the Central Seminary in Zagreb and later in Pest, which was an important place during the reforms, especially for the Church. As the Bishop of Zagreb, Vrhovac carried out the reform orders of Emperor Joseph II in his diocese. For example, he founded new parishes, reduced the number of canons, introduced the Roman rite, etc. After the emperor's death, Vrhovac faced resistance from most canons who lost their former position through reforms and wanted to restore their pre-reform status. Moreover, different views on the role of bishop and chapter caused a conflict between Vrhovec and the Chapter, which was especially evident during the visitation. Namely, the Chapter boycotted the bishop, accusing him of violating their acquired rights. Therefore, the canons did not send the requested reports, nor did they allow the bishop to check the statute. Furthermore, they denied the bishop's right to supervise the material condition of the chapter and the religious service in the cathedral. Vrhovac did not withdraw, however, and insisted on the establishment of supervision in all areas of Church activity, the rights and obligations of the Zagreb Chapter and the Choir of prebendaries. Finally, a small number of canons stood by the bishop, and the chapter managed to get the support of the Hungarian Court Office, which guaranteed that the chapter had the right to oppose the visitation decree (conclusion) before the competent ecclesiastical court. In the end, the long process before the Metropolitan Court was completed by an agreement between the bishop and the Zagreb Chapter. The new visitation decree was issued in 1800 and contained a new Chapter Statute, which was proof that Vrhovac managed to achieve its goal - to establish order in all areas of the Zagreb Chapter and all other institutions within the Cathedral Archdeaconry and the diocese.
Keywords
bishop Maximilian Vrhovac; Chapter of Zagreb; reforms of Joseph II; canonical visitation; Cathedral archdeaconry
Hrčak ID:
274970
URI
Publication date:
10.4.2022.
Visits: 1.187 *