ULTRAMONTANISM. - A word of generic and imprecise meaning, coined and used beyond the Alps (France, Germany, England, the Netherlands) to designate, more than a true current of thought, that adherence to the directives and conduct of the Roman Church in theological and jurisdictional matters or even in political interests.
In those countries, therefore, those Catholic writers, politicians, and ecclesiastical figures who followed such a line of conduct were called ultramontanes, as were naturally all Italians loyal to the teachings of the Holy See. It began with the calling of ultramontanes those citizens or religious in Germany who took the side of Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy. In the 17th century in France, Jansenists and regalists used the same name to refer to jurists and theologians who opposed their doctrines. For the Josephinists, illuminists, and Febronians, their adversaries were also ultramontanes. The word continued to be used throughout the 19th century by all liberals and non-Catholics who, in the religious sphere, followed new theories or adopted vexatious practical attitudes in their dealings with Catholicism. Particularly during the debates held on the occasion of the Vatican Council, supporters of papal infallibility were readily called ultramontanes.
And even today the use of this word has not disappeared from politico-religious controversies, always retaining a tone that is, if not one of outright contempt, at least one of discredit.