Archidiecezja i metropolia mediolańska u progu reformy kościelnej kard. Karola Boromeusza

Abstract

The point of departure for the study of Cardinal Charles Borromeo's synodal legislation in the diocese (11 synods) and Church province of Milan (6 synods) ought to be the organizational and religious and moral situation in the area in the time immediately before the appointment of that eminent archoishop. In the first section of the article the author gives a short presentation of the diocese of Milan. He points out both the prevalent shortcomings and manifestations of evil and the positive aspects on which Cardinal Borromeo was able to draw in his work. The overall balance at the moment of the archbishop's assumption of power was decidedly negative. In section two the reader gets a general view of the situation in the Church province of Milan. In moral and religious terms, it was the same as that in the diocese. The author pays much attention to the composition of the Lombard metropolis, about which Cardinal Borromeo had many doubts. Against such a background, the reformatory activities of Cardinal Borromeo in his capacity as archbishop and metropolitan of Milan must be described as truly impressive.