Robert Wauchope (bishop)
Robert Wauchope (c.1500-1551) was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh from 1539 to 1551.
He was born at Nidrie Marischal near Edinburgh, Scotland, son of Gilbert Wauchope, who was head of the family which owned Nidrie Marischal for several centuries. Robert is known to have been nearly blind from an early age, yet he somehow overcame this handicap and became an outstanding scholar. He is recorded as studying at the University of Paris in 1526, and also studied for a time with Hector Boece at King's College, Aberdeen.
He was considered one of the best theologians of his day, taking a prominent role at the conference at Worms in 1540 and the Diet of Ratisbon in 1541. He also attended the early sessions of the Council of Trent.[1] [2]
Wauchope worked as a theologian in Rome, and was probably not consecrated until the death of his predecessor in the See of Armagh, George Cromer, in 1543. Cromer was suspected of heresy by the Holy See, and was deposed by Henry VIII during the Protestant Reformation. The King appointed George Dowdall to the See, and Dowdall denounced Wauchope when he arrived in Ireland. Wauchope returned to Rome where he was made legate to Ireland, but he died soon after, before he could return to Ireland to reclaim the diocese.[3]
References
- ↑ "Armagh". Catholic Encyclopedia. New Advent. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
- ↑ MacCaffrey, Rev. James (1914). HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH From the Renaissance to the French Revolution. Volume II, Chapter VIII.
- ↑ MacCaffrey, Rev. James (1914). HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH From the Renaissance to the French Revolution. Volume II, Chapter VIII.
| Preceded by George Cromer |
Archbishop of Armagh 1539 – 1551 |
Succeeded by Vacant |