GALLICANISM  , the collective name for various theories maintaining that the

church and king of France had ecclesiastical rights of their own, independent and exclusive of the jurisdiction of the pope . Gallicanism had two distinct sides, a constitutional and a dogmatic, though both were generally held together, the second serving as the logical basis of the first . And neither is intelligible, except in relation to the rival theory of Ultramontanism (q.v.) . Dogmatic Gallicanism was concerned with the question of ecclesiastical government . It maintained that the church's infallible authority was committed to pope and bishops jointly . The pope decided in the first instance, but his judgments must be tacitly or expressly confirmed by the bishops before they had the force of law . This ancient theory survived much longer in France than in other Catholic countries . Hence the name of Gallican is loosely given to all its modern up-holders, whether of French nationality or not . Constitutional Gallicanism dealt with the relation of church and state in France . It began in the 13th century, as a protest against the theocratic pretensions of the medieval popes . They claimed that they, as vicars of Christ, had the right to interfere in the temporal concerns of princes, and even to depose sovereigns of whom they disapproved . Gallicanism answered that kings held their power directly of God; hence their temporal concerns lay altogether outside the jurisdiction of the pope .

During the troubles of the

Reformation era, when the papal deposing power threatened to become a reality, the Gallican theory became of great importance . It was elaborated, and connected with dogmatic Gallicanism; by the famous theologian, Edmond Richer (1559-1631), and finally incorporated by Bossuet in a solemn Declaration of the French Clergy, made in 1682 . This document lays down: (1) that the temporal sovereignty of kings is independent of the pope; (2) that a general council is above the pope; (3) that the ancient liberties of the Gallican Church are sacred; (4) that the infallible teaching authority of the church belongs to pope and bishops jointly . This declaration led to a violent quarrel with Rome,, and was officially withdrawn in 1693, though its doctrines continued to be largely held . They were asserted in an extreme form in the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790),Pwhich almost severed connexion between France and the papacy . In 1802 Napoleon contented himself by embodying Bossuet's declaration textually in a statute . Long before his time, however, the issue had been narrowed down to determining exactly how far the pope should be allowed to interfere in French ecclesiastical affairs . Down to the repeal of the Concordat in 1905 all French governments continued to uphold two of the ancient " Gallican Liberties." The secular courts took cognizance of ecclesiastical affairs when-ever the law of the land was alleged to have been broken; and papal bulls were not allowed to be published without the leave of the state . (See also FEBRONIANISM.) (ST .