Joseph Berington

Joseph Berington
Joseph Berington
    Joseph Berington
     Catholic_Encyclopedia Joseph Berington
    One of the best known Catholic writers of his day, b. at Winsley, in Herefordshire, 16 January, 1743; d. at Buckland, 1 December, 1827. He was educated at the English College at Douai, showing such talent and originality of mind that after his ordination to the priesthood he was promoted to the chair of philosophy in the university. In this position his inclination towards liberal opinions became apparent, and his theses, prepared for the exhibition of his pupils, created such a stir that he thought it prudent to resign. On his return to England, he occupied several positions in turn, each intended to give him leisure to pursue his studies. From 1776 to 1782 he was chaplain to Mr. Thomas Stapleton, of Carlton, Yorkshire, acting at the same time as tutor to his son, with whom he afterwards travelled around Europe. We next find him at Oscott, then a lonely country mission, where his cousin, Charles Berington, who had been appointed coadjutor bishop, joined him. Both the Beringtons were of the same caste of mind; both were favourers of the committee appointed to represent the Catholics in their struggle for emancipation, which gained for itself an unfortunate notoriety for its liberalizing principles, and the generally anti-episcopal tendency of its action. The Midland District was the chief centre of these opinions, and fifteen of the clergy of Staffordshire formed themselves into an association of which Joseph Berington was the leader, the primary object being to stand by their bishop, Thomas Talbot, who was partly on that side. Afterwards, however, they were led into other action, especially in taking up the case of Rev. Joseph Wilkes, who had been suspended by his bishop in consequence of his action on the committee, which laid them open to criticism.
    Joseph Berington was by this time becoming well known as an author with an attractive style of writing, but of very advanced views. His "State and Behaviour of English Catholics" (1780) contained more than one passage of doubtful orthodoxy; his "History of Abelard" (1784) brought into prominence the same philosophical tendencies which had before manifested at Douai; and his "Reflexions", addressed to Rev. J. Hawkins, an apostate priest (1785 and 1788), were much criticized; while perhaps more than all, the "Memoirs of Panzani", which he edited with an Introduction and Supplement (1793), gave him the reputation of being a disloyal Catholic. Under these circumstances, when Sir John Throckmorton of Buckland in Berkshire, appointed Berington his chaplain, Dr. Douglass, Bishop of the London District (in which Buckland was situated), refused to give him faculties, till in 1797 he printed a letter explaining his views, which the bishop considered satisfactory. A year or two later, Dr. Douglass again suspended him, until he signed a further declaration in 1801.
    Berington passed the remainder of his life at Buckland, where he wrote the most extensive of all his works, "The Literary History of the Middle Ages" (1811). He published many other books at different times; but some of his writings remained in manuscript, lest their publication should give offence. In private life Joseph Berington was a model priest, exact in the discharge of his duties, and noted for his charity to the poor. He was respected by all who knew him, Catholic and Protestant (Protestantism) alike, and after his death a slab was erected in his memory in the Protestant (Protestantism) church at Buckland with an inscription written by his friend, Rev. John Bew, formerly President of Oscott. The only likeness extant is a silhouette, in the Catholic Directory for 1832. Berington's works (besides those mentioned in the text) are: "Present State of Caths." (1787); "Rights of Dissenters" (1789); "Henry II, Richard and John" (1790); "Examination of Events termed Miraculous" (1796); "Gother's Prayers" (1800); "Faith of Catholics" (1813); "Decline and Fall of Cath. Relig. in Eng." (1813, a reprint of Memoirs of Panzani); numerous letters and pamphlets and many other works in MS.
    Cooper in Dict. Of Nat. Biog.; Gillow, Bibl. Dict. Eng. Cath.; Ward, Cath. London a Century ago (1905); Husenbeth, Life of Milner; Cath. Miscellany (1828).
    BERNARD WARD
    Transcribed by Susan Birkenseer

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VIII. — New York: Robert Appleton Company. . 1910.


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  • Joseph Berington — (b. at Winsley, Herefordshire, 16 January 1743; d. at Buckland, 1 December1827) was one of the prominent British Catholic writers of his day. He was educated at the English College at Douai. After his ordination to the priesthood he was promoted… …   Wikipedia

  • Joseph Berington — Joseph Berington, (1760 1827) est un historien anglais Il était catholique et fut longtemps curé en France. Il est l auteur de : une Histoire littéraire du Moyen Âge, Londres, 1814 1816, traduit par Antoine Marie Henri Boulard ; une… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Berington, Joseph — • Catholic writer (1743 1827) Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Berington, Joseph     Joseph Berington …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Charles Berington — (b. at Stock, Essex, England, 1748; d. 8 June 1798) was an English Catholic bishop, Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District and Titular Bishop of Hiero Caesarea. Life At thirteen he was sent to the English College at Douai. Four years later he… …   Wikipedia

  • Charles Berington —     Charles Berington     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Charles Berington     Titular Bishop of Hiero Caesarea, b. at Stock, Essex, England, 1748; d. 8 June, 1798. His life is a continued story of disappointed hopes and expectations. At thirteen he… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Antoine-Marie-Henri Boulard — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Boulard. Antoine Marie Henri Boulard, né en septembre 1754 à Paris où il est mort le 6 mai 1825, est un bibliophile et traducteur français. Il exerce la profession de notaire jusqu en 1808 et devient maire du Xe… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Antoine Marc Henri Boulard — Antoine Marie Henri Boulard Pour les articles homonymes, voir Boulard. Antoine Marie Henri Boulard, né en septembre 1754 à Paris où il est mort le 6 mai 1825, est un bibliophile et traducteur français. Il exerce la profession de notaire jusqu en… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Antoine Marie Henri Boulard — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Boulard. Antoine Marie Henri Boulard, né en septembre 1754 à Paris où il est mort le 6 mai 1825, est un bibliophile et traducteur français. Il exerce la profession de notaire jusqu en 1808 et devient maire du Xe… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Milner, John — • Writer and controversialist. Born in London, 14 October, 1752: died at Wolverhampton, 19 April, 1826 Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Milner, John     John Milner …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • John Milner —     John Milner     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► John Milner     Born in London, 14 October, 1752: died at Wolverhampton, 19 April, 1826.     At the age of twelve he went to Sedgley Park School, but the following year he was sent by the venerable… …   Catholic encyclopedia

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