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| Regnans in Excelsis Latin for 'Reigning on High' Papal bull of Pope Pius V | |
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| Signature date | 25 February 1570 |
| Subject | Excommunication of Queen Elizabeth I |
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Regnans in Excelsis ("Reigning on High") is a papal bull that Pope Pius V issued on 25 February 1570. It excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I of England, referring to her as "the pretended Queen of England and the servant of crime", declared her a heretic, and released her subjects from allegiance to her, even those who had "sworn oaths to her", and excommunicated any who obeyed her orders: "We charge and command all and singular the nobles, subjects, peoples and others afore said that they do not dare obey her orders, mandates and laws. Those who shall act to the contrary we include in the like sentence of excommunication."[1][2]
Among the queen's offences, "She has removed the royal Council, composed of the nobility of England, and has filled it with obscure men, being heretics; oppressed the followers of the Catholic faith; instituted false preachers and ministers of impiety; abolished the sacrifice of the mass, prayers, fasts, choice of meats, celibacy, and Catholic ceremonies; and has ordered that books of manifestly heretical content be propounded to the whole realm and that impious rites and institutions after the rule of Calvin, entertained and observed by herself, be also observed by her subjects."[2]
The bull, written in Latin,[1] is named from its incipit, the first three words of its text.
- ^ a b Pope Pius V (25 February 1570). "Regnans in Excelsis". Papal Encyclicals Online (in Latin). Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ a b Pope Pius V (25 February 1570). "Regnans in Excelsis". Papal Encyclicals Online. Retrieved 5 March 2020.