Charles Michael Baggs
Encyclopedia
Charles Michael Baggs was a Roman Catholic bishop
, controversialist, scholar and antiquary. He briefly served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Western District of England from 1844 to 1845.
, Ireland on 21 May 1806, the eldest son of Charles Baggs and Eleanor Kyan. His father was a Protestant barrister of Dublin, who afterwards was judge of the court of vice-admiralty
in Demerara
, South America
. His mother was the fourth daughter of John Howard Kyan
of County Wicklow
. Through his mother's family he is directly descended from the O'Cahans, a significant Irish clan
in Ulster
.
, he was sent to a Protestant academy at Englefield Green
in Berkshire
. Early in 1820, his father died suddenly at Demerara, three days after hearing of the death of a friend for whom he had become security for 60,000 shillings. Upon the news of this double calamity, Charles Baggs was removed by his mother from Englefield Green to a Roman Catholic seminary
at Sedgley Park
, Staffordshire
in June 1820. Twelve months later, he was transferred, at the instance of Bishop William Poynter
, to St. Edmund's College, Ware
, Hertfordshire
as an ecclesiastical student.
Three year later, Baggs he was sent to the English College, Rome to complete his ecclesiastical studies, arriving there on 9 June 1824. He became a distinguished student, winning prizes in logics, Hebrew, physics
, mathematics
and theology
.
a subdeacon
in November, a deacon
in November or December, and a priest
by Cardinal Zurla
in December 1830. After his ordination, he remained in Rome, becoming Vice-Rector
, and subsequently Rector, of the English College. He was also made an honorary chamberlain
(cameriere d'onore) by Pope Gregory XVI
, with whom he was always an especial favourite.
He became a controversialist when published two discourses in 1836: "On the Supremacy of the Roman Pontiffs" which was delivered at the Church of Gesù e Maria in the Corso, Rome, on 7 February 1836; and the "Letter addressed to the Rev. R. Burgess, Protestant Chaplain at Rome" appeared on 8 March 1836.
He also produced three ecclesiastical works:
Baggs preached the funeral oration for his cousin, Gwendoline (died 27 October 1840), widow of Marcantonio Borghese, 5th Prince of Sulmona, in the church of San Carlo ai Catinari
on 23 December 1840. In its printed form he inscribed it to the father of the young princess, John Talbot, 16th Earl of Shrewsbury
.
of Pella
on 9 January 1844. His consecration
took place at the church of San Gregorio Magno al Celio on 28 January 1844, the principal consecrator
was Cardinal Giacomo Filippo Fransoni
, assisted by Dr. Brown
, Vicar Apostolic of the Lancashire District
and Dr. Collier, Bishop of Port-Louis
as co-consecrators.
He left Rome on 19 April 1844, and was welcomed by a large gathering of the clergy and laity at Prior Park
near Bath, where he formally took possession of his vicariate on 30 May 1844. There, two days afterwards, he held his first ordination. He visited his extensive vicariate during the course of that summer, he newly organised it in the autumn, by portioning it out, on 2 October, into four deaneries. Shortly after taking up his residence at Prior Park, Bishop Baggs delivered a remarkable course of lectures on the supremacy of the pope at the church of St. John the Evangelist, Bath.
At the beginning of the second year of his episcopate, Bishop Baggs died at Prior Park on 16 October 1845, aged 39. His remains were interred in Prior Park Chapel, then reinterred at Midford Castle
Chapel, and finally at Arnos Vale Cemetery
, Bristol.
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
, controversialist, scholar and antiquary. He briefly served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Western District of England from 1844 to 1845.
Early life and family
He was born in Belville, County WestmeathBelville, County Westmeath
Belville is a townland in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is located about east of Athlone.Belville is one of a number townlands of the Irish civil parish of Ballyloughloe in the barony of Clonlonan in the Province of Leinster.The townland covers ....
, Ireland on 21 May 1806, the eldest son of Charles Baggs and Eleanor Kyan. His father was a Protestant barrister of Dublin, who afterwards was judge of the court of vice-admiralty
Vice admiralty court
Vice admiralty courts were juryless courts located in British colonies that were granted jurisdiction over local legal matters related to maritime activities, such as disputes between merchants and seamen. Judges were given 5% of confiscated cargo, if they found a smuggling defendant guilty...
in Demerara
Demerara
Demerara was a region in South America in what is now Guyana that was colonised by the Dutch in 1611. The British invaded and captured the area in 1796...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. His mother was the fourth daughter of John Howard Kyan
John Howard Kyan
John Howard Kyan was the inventor of the 'kyanising' process for preserving wood. He was the son of John Howard Kyan of Mount Howard and Ballymurtagh, County Wicklow, and was born in Dublin on November 27, 1774...
of County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Through his mother's family he is directly descended from the O'Cahans, a significant Irish clan
Irish clans
Irish clans are traditional kinship groups sharing a common surname and heritage and existing in a lineage based society prior to the 17th century.-History:...
in Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
.
Education
His father being a member of the Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
, he was sent to a Protestant academy at Englefield Green
Englefield Green
Englefield Green is a large village in northern Surrey, England. It is home to Royal Holloway, University of London, the south eastern corner of Windsor Great Park and close to the towns of Egham, Windsor, Staines and Virginia Water...
in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. Early in 1820, his father died suddenly at Demerara, three days after hearing of the death of a friend for whom he had become security for 60,000 shillings. Upon the news of this double calamity, Charles Baggs was removed by his mother from Englefield Green to a Roman Catholic seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
at Sedgley Park
Sedgley Park School, Wolverhampton
Sedgley Park School was a Roman Catholic Academy located on the outskirts of Wolverhampton, then part of Staffordshire.Originally the home of the Barons and Baronesses Dudley until 1757, Sedgley Park School was founded by William Errington, at the recommendation of Bishop Richard Challoner, on 25...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
in June 1820. Twelve months later, he was transferred, at the instance of Bishop William Poynter
William Poynter
William Poynter was an English Catholic priest, bishop as vicar apostolic in London.-Life:He was educated at the English College at Douai, where he was ordained in 1786...
, to St. Edmund's College, Ware
St. Edmund's College, Ware
St Edmund's College is the oldest post-Reformation Roman Catholic school in England. It is an independent school in the British public school tradition set on in Ware, Hertfordshire. During two periods of its history, it has also incorporated a seminary....
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
as an ecclesiastical student.
Three year later, Baggs he was sent to the English College, Rome to complete his ecclesiastical studies, arriving there on 9 June 1824. He became a distinguished student, winning prizes in logics, Hebrew, physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
Priestly career and works
In 1830, he was ordainedHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
a subdeacon
Subdeacon
-Subdeacons in the Orthodox Church:A subdeacon or hypodeacon is the highest of the minor orders of clergy in the Orthodox Church. This order is higher than the reader and lower than the deacon.-Canonical Discipline:...
in November, a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in November or December, and a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Cardinal Zurla
Giacinto Placido Zurla
Cardinal Placido Zurla, O.S.B. Cam., was an Italian Camaldolese monk and prelate, who was Cardinal Vicar of Rome and writer on medieval geography.-Biography:...
in December 1830. After his ordination, he remained in Rome, becoming Vice-Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
, and subsequently Rector, of the English College. He was also made an honorary chamberlain
Papal chamberlain
Papal chamberlain was one of the highest honours that could be bestowed on a Catholic layman by the Pope, and was often given to members of noble families. It was mostly an honorary position, but a chamberlain served the Pope for one week per year during official ceremonies...
(cameriere d'onore) by Pope Gregory XVI
Pope Gregory XVI
Pope Gregory XVI , born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, named Mauro as a member of the religious order of the Camaldolese, was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846...
, with whom he was always an especial favourite.
He became a controversialist when published two discourses in 1836: "On the Supremacy of the Roman Pontiffs" which was delivered at the Church of Gesù e Maria in the Corso, Rome, on 7 February 1836; and the "Letter addressed to the Rev. R. Burgess, Protestant Chaplain at Rome" appeared on 8 March 1836.
He also produced three ecclesiastical works:
- "The Papal Chapel Described and Illustrated from History and Antiquities" (1839).
- "The Ceremonies of Holy Week at the Vatican and S. John Lateran's: Described and Illustrated from History and Antiquities" (1839) and dedicated to Hugh Charles Clifford, 7th Baron Clifford of ChudleighHugh Charles Clifford, 7th Baron Clifford of ChudleighHugh Charles Clifford, 7th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh was a British peer. He inherited the title from his father on 29 April 1831....
. - "The Pontifical Mass sung at St. Peter's Church on Easter Sunday, on the Festival of SS. Peter and Paul, and Christmas Day, with a Dissertation on Ecclesiastical Vestments" (1840) and dedicated to Cardinal Giacomo GiustinianiGiacomo GiustinianiGiacomo Giustiniani was an Italian papal diplomat and Cardinal. Considered papabile in the Papal Conclave , his election was vetoed by Ferdinand VII of Spain....
, bishop of Albano and protector of the English College.
Baggs preached the funeral oration for his cousin, Gwendoline (died 27 October 1840), widow of Marcantonio Borghese, 5th Prince of Sulmona, in the church of San Carlo ai Catinari
San Carlo ai Catinari
San Carlo ai Catinari, also called Santi Biagio e Carlo ai Catinari is an early-Baroque style church in Rome, Italy....
on 23 December 1840. In its printed form he inscribed it to the father of the young princess, John Talbot, 16th Earl of Shrewsbury
Earl of Shrewsbury
Earl of Shrewsbury is a hereditary title of nobility created twice in the peerage of England.-First creation, 1074:The first creation occurred in 1074 for Roger de Montgomerie, one of William the Conqueror's principal counselors...
.
Vicar apostolic
He was appointed the Vicar Apostolic of the Western District of England and Titular BishopTitular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Pella
Pella
Pella , an ancient Greek city located in Pella Prefecture of Macedonia in Greece, was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia.-Etymology:...
on 9 January 1844. His consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
took place at the church of San Gregorio Magno al Celio on 28 January 1844, the principal consecrator
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
was Cardinal Giacomo Filippo Fransoni
Giacomo Filippo Fransoni
Giacomo Filippo Fransoni was an Italian Cardinal who served from 1834 to 1856 as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith....
, assisted by Dr. Brown
George Hilary Brown
George Hilary Brown was an English prelate who served as the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Liverpool from 1850 to 1856.-Early life:...
, Vicar Apostolic of the Lancashire District
Vicar Apostolic of the Lancashire District
The Vicar Apostolic of the Lancashire District was the title given to the bishop who headed an ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church in England...
and Dr. Collier, Bishop of Port-Louis
Roman Catholic Diocese of Port-Louis
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Port-Louis is a Roman Catholic diocese located in the city of Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius.-History:...
as co-consecrators.
He left Rome on 19 April 1844, and was welcomed by a large gathering of the clergy and laity at Prior Park
Prior Park
Prior Park is a Palladian house, designed by John Wood, the Elder in the 1730s and 1740s for Ralph Allen, on a hill overlooking Bath, Somerset, England. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building....
near Bath, where he formally took possession of his vicariate on 30 May 1844. There, two days afterwards, he held his first ordination. He visited his extensive vicariate during the course of that summer, he newly organised it in the autumn, by portioning it out, on 2 October, into four deaneries. Shortly after taking up his residence at Prior Park, Bishop Baggs delivered a remarkable course of lectures on the supremacy of the pope at the church of St. John the Evangelist, Bath.
At the beginning of the second year of his episcopate, Bishop Baggs died at Prior Park on 16 October 1845, aged 39. His remains were interred in Prior Park Chapel, then reinterred at Midford Castle
Midford Castle
Midford Castle is a folly castle in the village of Midford, and the parish of Southstoke south of Bath, Somerset, England.The castle was built in 1775 for Henry Disney Roebuck from designs by John Carter in the shape of the "clubs" symbol used in playing cards...
Chapel, and finally at Arnos Vale Cemetery
Arnos Vale Cemetery
Arnos Vale Cemetery , located in Arno's Vale in Bristol, England, was established in 1837. Its first burial was in 1839. The cemetery followed a joint-stock model, funded by shareholders. It was laid out as an Arcadian landscape with buildings by Charles Underwood.Arnos Vale cemetery is located on...
, Bristol.