English Summary – English Catholicism 3/2012

Tomáš Petráček
Jesuit George Tyrrell and Catholicims between Modernism and Medievalism
The study of the Czech priest, theologian and historian Tomáš Petráček is dedicated to the iconic figure of English “modernism”, to the convert and later Jesuit George Tyrrell, who was even excommunicated during the anti-modernist campaign. Petráček outlines the situation in the Church and in England at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and shows how Tyrrell in a prophetic way pointed to the threats facing the Church, if she does not establish a real dialogue with the modern world. The study is primarily dedicated to Tyrrell’s writings “Medievalism, A Reply to Cardinal Mercier” (1908) and “Christianity at the Cross-Roads” (1909).

Paul Vallely
On Being an English Catholic: From Minority to Mainstream and Back Again?
The reflection of the prominent British publicist and director of the famous Catholic magazine The Tablet presents in the setting of the author’s memories development of English Catholicism during the second half of the 20th century. Vallely outlines the process of transition from being a Roman Catholic in England (also with a strong Irish influence) to being an English Catholic. In this emancipation process of reintegrating into the whole of the nation the author mentions not only the crucial importance of Vatican II and ecumenism, but also the significance of the personality of Cardinal Hume. The author however confronts this promising change with the current tendency of some Catholics to see themselves as a victims of secularization – Vallely criticizes certain clumsiness of English bishops in dealing with political representatives and society, and their tendency again to close the doors of the Catholic ghetto in fear of the secular world.

Basil Hume
Mother Julian of Norwich: Three Wounds: Contrition, Compassion, Longing for God
There is offered an extract from the spiritual text of Cardinal Basil Hume from the book Searching for God; the reflection is based on a quote from an English mystic Julian of Norwich, adapted by the author to the vocation of a priest.

Benedict XVI
Address in Westminster Hall
Text of the address of the Pope Benedict XVI delivered on Friday 17 September 2010 in Westminster Hall, London, during the meeting with the representatives of British Society, including the Diplomatic Corps, politicians, academics and business leaders.

Vincent Nichols
Martyrs Day Mass at Venerable English College, Rome
The sermon of English archbishop Vincent Nichols delivered to the Venerable English College for the feast of the College martyrs on the occasion of the 650th anniversary of the founding of the English Hospice on that site.

Mary Cecily Boulding, OP
Anglican-Roman Catholic Relations Since Vatican II
This article presents the course of progress of Anglican-Roman Catholic relations over the forty years following Vatican II. The author mentions initially the reserved attitude of the Vatican towards the ecumenical movement, the Lambeth Conference Resolutions, and the Malines Conversations. The main focus of the article lies however in the work of Anglican-Roman Catholic Commissions ARCIC, IARCCUM and ARC. Sister Boulding describes the progress of negotiations over doctrinal agreements, the way of understanding the priesthood and the sacraments was clarified, especially the Eucharist, and analyzes the question of apprehension of authority in both Churches. Despite the crucial issue of women’s ordination the author states a large degree of consensus on doctrinal issues and a willingness to work together on such platforms as mission and education.

Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ
Significance of Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus
There is a commentary accompanying the publication of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus (2009) concerning a personal ordinariate for those Anglican faithful who wish to enter, either as individuals or as part of their religious community, into full communion with the Catholic Church. The text is translated and supplemented by the explanation of brother Aleš Vandrovec OSB.

In England they Teach More Free Way to Freedom
Interview with Viera Terezie Hašanová
The interview with Viera Terezie Hašanová describes her experiences with the study of theology and spiritual direction at the University of Cambridge, with the practice of spiritual direction and silent prayer, she experienced in the community of sisters of Congregatio Jesu, with ecumenism and the role of women in the Church. She outlines the legacy of Mary Ward and personality of the former superior of Congregatio Jesu, Sister Pia Buxton.

Ondřej Koupil
English Benedictins (An Answer to Aleš)
The text of Ondřej Koupil is a diary record of his trip to the English Benedictine abbey Downside, where he accompanied two young Benedictines from Prague-Břevnov monastery both as translator and companion. The author takes down some minor observations of the life in an English monastery.

Allan White, OP
Between Exile and Redemption: a View of the Catholic Church in England
The English Dominican Allan White presents his point of view on the situation of Catholicism in England. He defines his objections towards certain attitudes of Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor on the fact that the Catholic Church backs away under the pressure of secularisation in society. The author holds forth on the state of religiosity in the country, and weighs how the Catholic Church reacts in given context. He warns against the danger that parishes may become mere alternative life-style enclaves, and encourages them to new activity, so that they – on the contrary – should remain centres of evangelization.

Alexander Tomský
Notes on the Phenomenon of English Conversion
A short essay on the revival of The Catholic Church, Catholic literature and the involvement of ever increasing numbers of converts after the emancipation of Catholics in England. Special mention is reserved for the revival of thomist philosophy at a time when secular academies reject metaphysics and regard scientific generalizations as the only type of knowledge available to man.

Daniel Soukup
The Truth of Reality, the Truth of Fantasy and the Truth of the Revelation in The Lord of the Rings
The essay first surveys the positioning of The Lord of the Rings with regard to the concept of realism. Drawing on Northrop Frye’s Anatomy of Criticism, the author stresses the importance of the genre: The Lord of the Rings is not a realistic novel, but it belongs to the much older tradition of the romance. In the following sections, the author examines the possibilities of a Christian reading of Tolkien’s epic fantasy. He emphasizes that a crucial aspect of The Lord of the Rings is the way Tolkien deliberately (by preferring applicability to allegory) leaves it open to different interpretations, Christian and non-Christian alike.

Chronology
Chronology of the English Catholicism summarizes the most important moments in the history of the English Catholic Church from the 19th to the 21st century.