By Ian Wilson (Rated G)
One of the most influential figures in both high-church Anglicanism and Catholicism, John Henry Newman was born in the city of London in the year 1801. His father, John, was a banker. The eldest of six, Newman was brought up a Calvinist and eventually went to Trinity College to complete his education as an Anglican priest. He was ordained a vicar at St. Mary’s Church, Oxford in 1828.
Newman became instrumental in what would become known as the Oxford Movement; a movement which put emphasis on the “Catholic” elements within Anglicanism. The movement is ongoing and has proven controversial from the beginning. During this time, Newman contributed to Tracts for the Times and as well as several lectures and sermons.
Newman’s belief in a dogmatic office of the Church was a welcome change of pace from the new, liberal elements that had taken hold by the 1830s. His influence spread and controversy developed around his ideas. He was a critic of the Protestant Reformation, stating that the English church should hold more strongly to the original, apostolic beliefs.
Many leaders within the Church of England denounced Newman, suspending his tracts and shattering his confidence. He and his closest allies then left Oxford, starting an almost monastic community in Littlemore. He eventually resigned from his position in 1843. It was about this time that he began to explore Roman Catholicism.
Newman had difficulty reconciling the doctrines of the Early Church with those of modern Rome, but eventually he hit on the idea of doctrinal development; the idea that doctrines might evolve over time. He believed that Protestantism was a break in that development, and that the modern Church of Rome was the legitimate successor to the Early Church.
He was received in the Roman Catholic Church on October 9, 1845, and was soon ordained a priest. Many in the church were suspicious of his “liberal” ideas (though he was nothing of the sort) and this proved challenging to overcome. He was even accused of heresy at one point, but this was proven false. Through his perseverance and character, Newman eventually won over Catholic church officials and was ordained a Cardinal in 1879.
Newman died in Birmingham in the year 1890, having served God and the church as faithfully as he was able, through many trials and questions of faith. May we, like John Henry Newman, hold fast to our convictions through adversity.
LogoSophia Magazine 