Celtic Christianity Survives - No Protestantism Reformation

Cloigeann

Banned
Celtic Christianity survives and becomes Rome's spiritual rival and not protestantism, with Ireland, Britain, northern France, Spain Portugal and western Germany having converted to this while all the rest remain the same with Celtic Christian minorities in Scandanavia which is largely Catholic

Strife in catholic southern France and the rest of Germany as they feel religiously oppressed which leads to a series of wars like the religious ones in real history
 

Philip

Donor
Welcome to AH.com

Celtic Christianity survives and becomes Rome's spiritual rival and not protestantism, with Ireland, Britain, northern France, Spain Portugal and western Germany having converted

When and how do you propose this happens? It seems to me that it would be rather difficult to import the ecclesiastical structure from Ireland to the Continent. Further, I don't see these changes really accomplishing the goals of the Reformers. I am not sure that would avert the Reformation completely.

to this while all the rest remain the same with Celtic Christian minorities in Scandanavia which is largely Catholic/

Strife in catholic southern France and the rest of Germany as they feel religiously oppressed which leads to a series of wars like the religious ones in real history

I think you might be over-emphasizing the differences between the Celtic and Latin practices. Aside from the ecclesiastical structure, the differences are practical, not theological.
 
I think you might be over-emphasizing the differences between the Celtic and Latin practices. Aside from the ecclesiastical structure, the differences are practical, not theological.

Granted, but for the most part, the differences between Western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox are mainly practical, rather than theological as well. What really created the Great Schism (as Thande would say) is a battle of supremacy, specifically between he Pope and the Eastern Roman Emperor.

So, one scenario that could evolve is that the papacy is a more first-among-equals position, avoiding the Schism, and creating an environment in medieval Christendom of "many churches, one Church" (that is is to say, many organisational structures, one theology). A Celtic church ideologically aligned with Rome, but separate, could easily survive in such a case. It would make for a very different 1500's on the Continent, though...

Simon ;)
 
If Celtic Church would develop its own identity and get in contact with the Christian world a little earlier, I can imagine them being in need to decide which side to take during the Great schism.

Assuming they remain an independant church (by joining the East or at least unwilling to take any side), they would become a "healthy" alternative to Roman Church in the eyes of Reformationists. Celtic Church also has the capacity of becoming a better, more natural base for Anglican church when kings of England feel the need for it.

The questions is, how Celts would get a spine. A good POD is needed.
 

Philip

Donor
Granted, but for the most part, the differences between Western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox are mainly practical, rather than theological as well.

Um, not really. There are deep theological differences. In many ways, Protestantism is closer to Catholicism than Orthodoxy is.

What really created the Great Schism (as Thande would say) is a battle of supremacy, specifically between he Pope and the Eastern Roman Emperor.

Um, not really. The theological seeds of the East-West schism were sown by Fifth Century, long before the Pope truly exerted Universal Jurisdiction. However, conflict with the Pope did exist, but again it was theological.

So, one scenario that could evolve is that the papacy is a more first-among-equals position, avoiding the Schism,

You would most likely need to push the PoD back to the Fifth of Sixth Century for this to occur. Perhaps earlier.

and creating an environment in medieval Christendom of "many churches, one Church" (that is is to say, many organisational structures, one theology). A Celtic church ideologically aligned with Rome, but separate, could easily survive in such a case. It would make for a very different 1500's on the Continent, though...

But that isn't what is described in the OP. You are constructing an entirely different timeline that has little to do with the OP or my original comments.
 
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