Book contents
- Debating Papal Government, 1305–1635
- Debating Papal Government, 1305–1635
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations And Conventions
- Introduction
- Case 1Uncertainty and Dogma
- Case 2Benefices
- Case 3The Borderline of Clerical Status
- Case 4Simony
- Case 5Regular and Secular Clergy
- Case 6Indulgences and Penance
- Case 7Monastic Discipline
- Case 8Judges Delegate
- Case 9Missions
- Case 10Getting Married
- Case 11Double Marriage: ‘Bigamia’
- Case 12Baptism
- Conclusions
- Glossary
- Manuscript Sources
- Select Bibliography
- Index
- Book part
Case 9 - Missions
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 May 2026
Book contents
- Debating Papal Government, 1305–1635
- Debating Papal Government, 1305–1635
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations And Conventions
- Introduction
- Case 1Uncertainty and Dogma
- Case 2Benefices
- Case 3The Borderline of Clerical Status
- Case 4Simony
- Case 5Regular and Secular Clergy
- Case 6Indulgences and Penance
- Case 7Monastic Discipline
- Case 8Judges Delegate
- Case 9Missions
- Case 10Getting Married
- Case 11Double Marriage: ‘Bigamia’
- Case 12Baptism
- Conclusions
- Glossary
- Manuscript Sources
- Select Bibliography
- Index
- Book part
Summary
Commitment to missions is a line of continuity linking medieval and early modern papal history. The documents examined all show sustained efforts to make missions succeed, reflecting a practical and pragmatic attitude. Later medieval missions were hampered by shortages of manpower and by the increasing inaccessibility of the regions in which missionaries had established a foothold. Popes could hardly press-gang priests into travelling to the Far East, but they could lend their authority and support to those who came forward. The post-medieval documents reflect a renewed surge of missionary success under papal patronage.
Information
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- Debating Papal Government, 1305–1635Unobvious Continuities and the Early Modern Papacy, pp. 166 - 185Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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