Thursday, July 15, 2004

Oxford Movement anniversary


Yesterday, July 14th, was 171st anniversary of the Oxford Movement, which commenced with the famous "Assize sermon" by John Keble condemning the national apostasy of the Anglican Church (notice, courtesy of Sean Fagan). The Venerable John Henry Newman, patron
of our apostolate, became the primary leader of the Oxford Movement in England, calling the Anglican Church back to its Catholic roots and calling for reform of the Erastian pattern of subjection of church to state in England. At that time he was vicar at the prominent Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford. On October 9th, 1845, John Henry Newman, having despaired of Anglicanism and having just
completed his famous Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, was received into the Catholic Church by Fr. Dominic Barberi, CP. In 1848 he estab-lished the Oratories of St. Philip Neri in England, opening an Oratory in Birmingham the following year. From 1854-1858 he became rector of the Catholic University of Ireland, authoring The Idea of a University. In 1879 Newman was elevated to the position of Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. He died August 11, 1890, and is buried at Rednal, on the outskirts of Birmingham. On January 22, 1991, was declared "Venerable" by Pope John Paul II, in the first step in the process leading to canonization. For additional information on Newman, see the following resources:

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