Second Reformation
Encyclopedia
The term Second Reformation has been used in a number of contexts in Protestantism
, and continues to be used by some to refer to contemporary events. In Germany and Northern Europe generally it is likely to refer to a period of Calvinist pressure on Lutheranism
from about 1560–1619. The "Dutch Second Reformation" or Nadere Reformatie
("Another Reformation") is usually placed rather later, from about 1600 onwards, and had much in common with English Puritanism
.
In English the term most often refers to an evangelical campaign from the 1820s onwards, organised by fundamentalists in the Church of Ireland
and Church of England
.
Evangelical clergymen were known as "Biblicals" or "New Reformers". The Second Reformation was most zealously prosecuted in Connacht
where it was encouraged by Thomas Plunket, 2nd Baron Plunket
, the Anglican Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry
. Opposition in the west was led by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, John MacHale
. The movement endeavoured (unsuccessfully) and in ecumenical terms disastrously, to proselytise amongst the Roman Catholic population of Ireland, frequently by highly dubious means in which material benefits were offered as a reward for conversion The occasion of the Great Famine (Ireland) was also seized upon by the "new Reformers". To get food, starving Catholics were obliged to apply to the work house of the local Poor Law
union. Conversion was expected upon admittance. Quaker and Irish politician Alfred Webb
later wrote:
Conversions exacted under the duress of those circumstances were often not long lived as the convert may not have been acting out of personal conviction.
The Second Reformation was also opposed by moderates in the Church of Ireland. It petered out during the 1860s.
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
, and continues to be used by some to refer to contemporary events. In Germany and Northern Europe generally it is likely to refer to a period of Calvinist pressure on Lutheranism
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
from about 1560–1619. The "Dutch Second Reformation" or Nadere Reformatie
Nadere Reformatie
Nadere Reformatie is a Dutch term that refers to a period of church history in the Netherlands, following the Reformation, from roughly 1600 until 1750...
("Another Reformation") is usually placed rather later, from about 1600 onwards, and had much in common with English Puritanism
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
.
In English the term most often refers to an evangelical campaign from the 1820s onwards, organised by fundamentalists in the Church of Ireland
Church 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...
and Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
.
Evangelical clergymen were known as "Biblicals" or "New Reformers". The Second Reformation was most zealously prosecuted in Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. 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...
where it was encouraged by Thomas Plunket, 2nd Baron Plunket
Thomas Plunket, 2nd Baron Plunket
The Right Reverend Thomas Span Plunket, 2nd Baron Plunket , was Bishop of Tuam, Killaly and Achonry.Plunket was the first son of William Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket and his wife, Catherine . He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge. On the death of his father in 1854, he became the 2nd Baron...
, the Anglican Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry
Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry
The Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry is the Church of Ireland Ordinary of the united Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry in the Province of Armagh. The present incumbent is the Right Reverend Patrick Rooke....
. Opposition in the west was led by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, John MacHale
John MacHale
John MacHale was the Irish Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, and Irish Nationalist.He laboured and wrote to secure Catholic Emancipation, legislative independence, justice for tenants and the poor, and vigorously assailed the proselytizers and the anti-Catholic anti-national system of public...
. The movement endeavoured (unsuccessfully) and in ecumenical terms disastrously, to proselytise amongst the Roman Catholic population of Ireland, frequently by highly dubious means in which material benefits were offered as a reward for conversion The occasion of the Great Famine (Ireland) was also seized upon by the "new Reformers". To get food, starving Catholics were obliged to apply to the work house of the local Poor Law
Poor Law
The English Poor Laws were a system of poor relief which existed in England and Wales that developed out of late-medieval and Tudor-era laws before being codified in 1587–98...
union. Conversion was expected upon admittance. Quaker and Irish politician Alfred Webb
Alfred Webb
He was first elected to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom on 24 February 1890, when he won a by-election for the West Waterford constituency. He was again returned for West Waterford in the 1892 general election, this time as an anti-Parnellite MP....
later wrote:
Conversions exacted under the duress of those circumstances were often not long lived as the convert may not have been acting out of personal conviction.
The Second Reformation was also opposed by moderates in the Church of Ireland. It petered out during the 1860s.