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.


Thursday 27 July 2023

Two more reflections from Rorate Cæli


In recent days Rorate Cæli has posted two striking reflections about the background to what is happening in the Catholic Church. They seem to me eloquent and forceful, articles that are worth reflecting upon.

The first was submitted by Peter Kwasniewski and is a translation of an article from last year by Martin Mosebach - I have heard both of them speak in Oxford - and looks into the background of the “abuse crisis” involving priests. It sets out to place this in the historical context of both the post-Vatican II Church and, to a lesser extent, of what went before.


The second article is by Roberto di Mattei, well known as a historian of the Church in recent decades and as a commentator on trends within it. In his essay he looks at the change in status and effectiveness of what used to be the Holy Office and which has now become the  Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.


Whether or not you agree with everything the two essays say they are certainly intellectually stimulating and historically apposite. They should be seen as at very least contributing to the debate and discussion within the Church.


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