Letter of Pope John Paul II
on the occasion of the Centenary
of the Cardinalate of J. H. Newman
{656} Ad Georgium P. Dwyer, Archiepiscopum Birminghamiensem
atque Praesidem Conferentiae Episcopalis Angliae et Cambriae, data, saeculo
expleto a collata Ioanni H. Newman cardinalicia dignitate.
In spiritual communion and with pastoral solicitude I gladly
respond to your invitation to celebrate together with the Church throughout
England the centenary of the elevation to the Cardinalate of one of her great
sons and witnesses of the faith, John Henry Newman, created Cardinal of the
Holy Roman Church by my venerable predecessor Leo XIII on 12 May 1879, with the
title of Saint George in Velabro.
The elevation of Newman to the Cardinalate, like his
conversion to the Catholic Church, is an event that transcends the simple
historical fact, as well as the importance it had for his own country. The two
events have long since been deeply inscribed in ecclesial life far beyond the
shores of England. The providential meaning and importance of these events for
the Church at large have been seen more clearly in the course of our own
century. Newman himself, with almost prophetic vision, was convinced that he
was working and suffering for the defence and affirmation of the cause of
religion and of the Church not only in his own time but also in the future. His
inspiring influence as a great teacher of the faith and as a spiritual guide is
being ever more clearly perceived in our own day, as was pointed out by Paul VI
in his address to the Cardinal Newman Academic Symposium during the Holy Year
1975: "He (Newman) who was convinced of being faithful throughout his life,
with all his heart devoted to the light of truth, today becomes an ever
brighter beacon for all who are seeking an informed orientation and sure
guidance amid the uncertainties of the {657} modern world-a world which he
himself prophetically foresaw" (Address of 7 April 1975).
In raising John Henry Newman to the Cardinalate, Leo XIII
wished to defend and honour his activity and mission in the Church. Acceding to
the earnest desire expressed by members of the English laity under the
leadership of the Duke of Norfolk, the Pope meant to pay tribute to the genius
of Newman and to give public expression to his own personal appreciation of
Newman's merits. He intended to recognize the value of Newman's many writings
in defence of God and the Church. In this way Pope Leo upheld and encouraged
all those-inside and outside the Catholic Church-who regarded Newman as their
spiritual teacher and guide in the way of holiness. Newman himself made this
comment on the Pope's intentions: "He judged it would give pleasure to English
Catholics, and even to Protestant England, if I received some mark of his
favour" (Talk given on his reception of the Biglietto, 12 May 1879).
The philosophical and theological thought and the spirituality
of Cardinal Newman, so deeply rooted in and enriched by Sacred Scripture and
the teachings of the Fathers, still retain their particular originality and
value. As a leading figure of the Oxford Movement, and later as a promoter of
authentic renewal in the Catholic Church, Newman is seen to have a special
ecumenical vocation not only for his own country but also for the whole Church.
By insisting "that the Church must be prepared for converts, as well as
converts prepared for the Church" ("J. H. Newman Autobiographical Writings,"
ed. H. Tristram), he already in a certain measure anticipated in his broad
theological vision one of the main aims and orientations of the Second Vatican
Council and the Church in the post-conciliar period. In the spirit of my
predecessors in the See of Peter, I express the hope that under this very
important aspect, and under other aspects no less important, the figure and
teaching of the great Cardinal will continue to inspire an ever more effective
fulfilment of the Church's mission in the modern world, and that it will help
to renew the spiritual life of her members and hasten the restoration of unity
among all Christians.
It is my hope that this centenary will be for all of us an
opportunity for studying more closely the inspiring thought of Newman's genius,
which speaks to us of deep intellectual honesty, fidelity to conscience and
grace, piety and priestly zeal, devotion to Christ's Church and love {658} of
her doctrine, unconditional trust in divine providence and absolute obedience
to the will of God.
I also wish to express my personal interest in the process for
beatification of this "good and faithful servant" (cf. Mt 25:21) of
Christ and the Church. I shall follow with close attention whatever progress
may be made in this regard.
In extolling his memory and his contribution to the Church of
God I send my special Apostolic blessing to you and to all the faithful of
England, and in particular to the members of the English Congregation of the
Oratory of St. Philip Neri, of which John Henry Newman was the founder, as well
as to all those who revere him throughout the world.
From the Vatican, 7 April 1979.
IOANNES PAULUS PP. II
[from
Acta Apostolicae Sedis, vol. 71, 1979; also in L'Osservatore Romano (English edition),
21 May 1979 (582)]
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