Richard FitzRalph

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Richard FitzRalph (also Fitz Ralph ; * around 1300 in Dundalk , Ireland ; † December 16, 1360 in Avignon ) was an Irish theologian and Archbishop of Armagh .

Life and works

FitzRalph was born into a wealthy middle-class family of Hiberno-Norman descent in Dundalk, Ireland. He graduated in 1325 at Balliol College of University of Oxford , where he became a teacher later. By 1331 he was Regens in theology, and later he became vice chancellor of the university. It was an unprecedented achievement for such a young person, who was not yet 40 years old. It was particularly surprising that an Irishman could achieve such a high position in England. However, John Prince in his book Worthies of Devon is of the opinion that he came from Devon .

When he was Vice Chancellor, many teachers and students had gone to Stamford in Lincolnshire and there was a crisis in Oxford with that secession. It is believed that this was the reason for his first visit to the Pope in Avignon in 1334. The next year he returned to England as he was appointed Dean of Lichfield . In 1337 he had to visit Avignon again and stayed there until 1344. On July 31, 1346 he was ordained Archbishop of Armagh . In both positions he was regarded as an able and caring steward.

In 1344 FitzRalph began to record his sermons in a kind of diary. The shortest and unimportant sermons have been summarized. The longer, highly learned sermons with theological content were copied in full. This can also be said of the sermons given in Avignon. His sermons were written in Latin . They show most of his fondness for learning with other friends such as B. Richard of Bury shared. He also sent many priests from his diocese to Oxford to improve their knowledge. His writings deal with infinity , predestination and free will and the like. a. Like the Irish Henry Crumpe and John Whitehead , he was involved in the dispute against the Franciscans .

The lyrics show that FitzRalph was concerned about Ireland's social problems. Twenty-nine sermons were delivered in Dundalk, Drogheda , Dublin, and various locations in Meath . He criticized the clergy for their absence from appeal. He criticized the merchants for their pointless expenses and dishonorable commercial practices. He was very famous as a preacher to the people in general. During his time there were very often difficult relationships between English colonists and Irish. His stand against discrimination against Irish-speaking Irish was very brave and honorable. He was strict now and then, but his attitude towards the people was generally fair and he did not care whether his people were English or Irish.

He made a third visit to Avignon in 1349–1351. He could take part in the discussions between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Pope of Avignon Clement VI. have participated. His information about the Black Death is the first confirmation of its occurrence in Ireland. Since his return to Ireland in 1351, he had participated in a personal and occasionally harsh attack against various mendicant orders . He wished to abolish the prerogatives of these mendicant orders over confession, preaching and other subjects as they were damaging his secular clergy. That is why he visited Avignon for the fourth time in 1357 to discuss this subject directly with Pope Innocent VI. to negotiate. He died there on December 16, 1360. In 1370 he was buried in the Church of St. Nicholas in Dundalk.

It is possible that FitzRalph was Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 1360 .

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ John Prince: Danmonii orientales illustres or The Worthies of Devon (nova ed.). Rees and Curtis 1810.
  2. ↑ Christopher Hibbert (Ed.): Appendix 5: Chancellors of the University . In: The Encyclopaedia of Oxford. Macmillan 1988, ISBN 0-333-39917-X , pp. 521-522.
predecessor Office successor
David Mág Oireachtaigh Archbishop of Armagh
1346-1360 		Milo Sweetman
personal data
SURNAME FitzRalph, Richard
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Fitz Ralph, Richard
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Irish theologian, Archbishop of Armagh
DATE OF BIRTH around 1300
PLACE OF BIRTH Dundalk , Ireland
DATE OF DEATH December 16, 1360
Place of death Avignon