Tradition & Dissent in English Christianity

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Tradition and Dissent in English Christianity To what extent was tradition in English Christianity restored in the nineteenth century? Yes, to a great extent, the assertion of the question is undoubtedly true. However, it is important to take into account several other aspects which also have an impact. The terms ‘Catholicism’ and ‘Protestantism’ were defined by the conflicts of the sixteenth century. Roman Catholicism was the Christian religion of England until the Reformation, with the introduction of Protestantism and establishment of the Church of England in the sixteenth century. Against this background, we explore to what extent these aspects had on tradition during the nineteenth century, when English Christianity experienced a mixture of expanding dissent and renewing tradition. It may be argued that the Catholic minority considered they were guardians of authentic tradition. Many events during the nineteenth century influenced restoration of Catholic traditions. There was an influx of Catholic immigrants, especially from Ireland. General political unrest existed, after the French Revolution in 1789, then a prolonged war with France between 1793 and 1815. In 1829 the Emancipation Acts permitted both Nonconformists and Catholics to hold any office. Persistent demands for constitutional change led to the Great Reform Act of 1832, which gave political influence to the middle classes. In 1838 the leading architect Augustus Welby Pugin was commissioned to design St Chad's Roman Catholic cathedral of Birmingham built in Gothic revival style during 1839-41. It was not only to address the practical need to accommodate Birmingham’s Catholics, but to make a strong visual statement of Catholic resurgence. In 1850, Pope Pius IX restored Roman Catholic territorial bishoprics, which caused controversy. Protestants viewed this as an act of 'papal aggression' against
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