William Poynter

William Poynter (20 May 1762 – 26 November 1827) was an English Catholic priest who served as Vicar Apostolic of London.

Life Early life Poynter was educated at the English College at Douai, where he was ordained in 1786. He remained as professor, and afterwards prefect of studies till the college was suppressed during the French Revolution.

After undergoing eighteen months imprisonment, the collegians were set free, and returned to England in March, 1795. Poynter with the students from the South of England went to Old Hall at Ware, Hertfordshire, where he took a leading part in the foundation of St. Edmund's College, being first vice-president, then (1801–13) president.

His position was rendered difficult by the persistent attacks of Bishop John Milner, vicar apostolic of the Midlands District, in pamphlets and in his pastorals, covering a range of disputes but mostly centred on the question of Catholic Emancipation and the demands of the British government to control the appointment of Catholic bishops in Great Britain. An unrelated dispute arose when Poynter put restrictions on the writings of Peter Gandolphy which Milner then allowed in his vicariate. Poynter endured Milner's accusations in silence, having the support of all the other English and Scotch bishops; but when in May 1814, on the issue of the Quarantotti Rescript, Milner went to Rome to obtain its reversal, Poynter followed him there and wrote his Apologetical Epistle defending himself to the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide. The final decision was given in November, 1825.

Works His principal works are: Theological Examinations of Columbanus (London, 1811); Epistola Apologetica, tr. by Butler (London, 1820), also appeared in Butler, "Hist. Mem.", 3rd edition; Prayerbook for Catholic Sailors and Soldiers (London, 1858); Evidences of Christianity (London, 1827); New Year's Gift in Directories (1813–28); numerous pamphlets, pastorals etc.

Portraits A portrait of Bishop Poynter by Ramsay (1803) hangs at St Edmund's College, Ware; another in the Catholic Directory for 1829; also a bust by Turnerelli, and another at Moorfields.