Ecclesiastical Metropolitanism and the Evolution of the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto

Abstract

Until 1850 the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Toronto was a mission-like entity, lacking priests, institutions and a communication system to unify it. Subsequently it underwent rapid change, adopting the traditional metropolitan form of Church government. Two major factors precipitated the change. The sudden influx of Famine Irish immigrants drastically increased the size of the urban Catholic laity, but required immediate aid and direction if it were to be retained. Through his organizational ability Bishop Charbonnel utilized the Church's ancient, external communication network, drawing upon it for funds, personnel and ideas to assist the laity. Thereby the Church was strengthened and the Irish preserved as the Victorian Catholic laity. Manquant de prêtres, d’institutions et de communications appropriées, l’Église catholique dans le diocèse de Toronto ressembla à une mission jusqu’en 1850. Elle connut par la suite de rapides transformations conduisant à l’établissement de structures métropolitaines de type classique. Ces transformations furent accélérées d’abord par la venue soudaine d’immigrants irlandais fuyant la grande famine, qui exigèrent un encadrement immédiat. En second lieu, l’évêque Charbonnel utilisa ses talents d’administrateur et les structures établies de l’Église pour lever des fonds et recruter du personnel. Ainsi, l’Église se raffermit et les Irlandais catholiques furent maintenus en son sein.