ultramontanism

[uhl-truh-mon-tn-iz-uhm]

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. the policy of the party in the Roman Catholic Church that favors increasing and enhancing the power and authority of the pope.

ultramontanism

/ ˌʌltrəˈmɒntɪˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. RC Church the doctrine of central papal supremacy Compare Gallicanism

Other Word Forms

• ultramontanist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultramontanism¹

1820–30; < French ultramontanisme, equivalent to ultramontain ultramontane + -isme -ism

Example Sentences

He feared the advent of socialism, unsurprisingly, but also the rise of “ultramontanism,” a semi-polite term for Roman Catholic theocracy.

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In Catholicism, “ultramontanism” is a worldview in which the pope is accorded exaggerated authority.

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In consequence of this victory of the clerical party Catholic Switzerland with Lucerne at its head became a main centre of ultramontanism and Jesuitism.

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The organ of ultramontanism in H---- printed an article headed, "Contributions to the Traits of Character of a New Candidate."

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In country villages, the position here assumed by the magnates of progress is filled by the lords of ultramontanism, clerical gentlemen in cassocks, who keep a sharp eye on the fingers of their parishioners.

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