Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Friday 1 October 2010

Archbishop's clarion call

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Following on from the Papal visit the Archbishop of Westminster sent a pastoral letter to his diocese last Sunday urging Catholics to give greater public signs of their belief and practice. Given the position of the See of Westminster this can be seen as addressed to all the Catholics of England and Wales.

Fr Sean at Valle Adurni gives a link to the text of the Archbishop's letter and adds some excellent comments of his own here.

This seems a very appropriate and timely response to the tremendous success of the Papal visit. I felt renewed in my sense of being a Catholic and in the wish to be a more active and devout Catholic. We should not as a community be afraid to make our faith known and understood. Of course that does not mean frantic proseletysing but rather a firm, quiet confidence in saying and doing what we believe to be right and true.

2 comments:

Stephanie A. Mann said...

Grace before Meals in public is such a subtle way of witnessing--and it also reminds ourselves of the many gifts we receive from Our Father in Heaven. I agree with you: "firm, quiet confidence" is what is needed.

Dominic Mary said...

There have been a number of posts by various bloggers on this point . . . and quite a number of useful suggestions as to quiet but effective steps we can take to promote the Catholic cause.