CFP:
“A Living Example – The Early Modern Bishop”
Call For Papers – Sixteenth Century Studies Conference 2010
Montréal, PQ, Canada –14-17 October 2010
Throughout the sixteenth century the episcopacy occupied a challenging place in the Catholic Church hierarchy. To reformers the bishops were a “living example” that was the key to establishing a vibrant and orthodox Church focused on the local community but led by clergy.
To the local community the bishop was the primary conduit for orthodox knowledge, salvation, justice, charity, and (moderate) ecclesiastical wealth and patronage. To clergy the episcopate was the first step into higher ecclesiastical governance and thus was a coveted benefice with real prestige and authority. To the papal court the bishop was a well-educated and connected figure that fulfilled numerous necessary bureaucratic, judicial, liturgical and diplomatic tasks.
While the ecclesiastical multitude depended on the bishop to “work” the Church, the episcopacy was heavily criticized for its sustained absenteeism and involvement in activities outside the dioceses.
This Call for Papers embraces all aspects of the study of bishops, and hopes to attract presenters with a broad interest in this group and their relations, both personal and institutional, with the wider world in Europe and beyond. Presentations could focus on the following aspects of the office or individual bishops throughout the long sixteenth century:
· The image/representation of the bishop; Reform of and/or criticism of bishops; the “place” of or ideal behavior of bishops
· Patronage of and/or by bishops (artistic, intellectual, diplomatic, etc.)
· New bishoprics established oversees/missionary work; the episcopal tradition in Protestant states; episcopal relations with Protestant states
· Relations between bishops, between bishops and their superiors and patrons, and also between bishops and their underlings (vicars, communities, monastic orders, etc).
· The relations between bishops and the secular leaders of their communities, lay leaders of confraternities
Please send a title and 200 word abstract of the proposed presentation to both Jennifer Mara DeSilva (desilvaj@easternct.edu) and John Christopoulos (john.christopoulos@utoronto.ca). Please detail any AV requirements for your proposed presentation.
The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 1 March 2010.;