An interesting footnote related to Newman’s possible canonization: Wikipedia reports that “In 2008, Newman’s remains … were exhumed, part of a plan to move them to the Oratory in Birmingham city centre in … preparation for Newman’s possible canonization; at the exhumation, however, Newman’s wooden coffin was found to have disintegrated and his body completely decayed.”
But if in fact such removal was ever the plan, it would have gone against Newman’s own wishes, apparently, for another Wikipedia article states that “At his own request, Newman was buried in the same grave as Ambrose St John. He had stated on three occasions his desire to be buried with his friend, including shortly before his death in 1890: ‘I wish, with all my heart, to be buried in Fr Ambrose St John’s grave — and I give this as my last, my imperative will,’ he wrote, later adding: ‘This I confirm and insist on.'”
I find it interesting that in their eagerness to claim Newman as one of the their own, both “liberal” and “conservative” Catholics might be shocked to discover upon reading him, that he would be profoundly uncomfortable with both sides.
An interesting footnote related to Newman’s possible canonization: Wikipedia reports that “In 2008, Newman’s remains … were exhumed, part of a plan to move them to the Oratory in Birmingham city centre in … preparation for Newman’s possible canonization; at the exhumation, however, Newman’s wooden coffin was found to have disintegrated and his body completely decayed.”
But if in fact such removal was ever the plan, it would have gone against Newman’s own wishes, apparently, for another Wikipedia article states that “At his own request, Newman was buried in the same grave as Ambrose St John. He had stated on three occasions his desire to be buried with his friend, including shortly before his death in 1890: ‘I wish, with all my heart, to be buried in Fr Ambrose St John’s grave — and I give this as my last, my imperative will,’ he wrote, later adding: ‘This I confirm and insist on.'”
I find it interesting that in their eagerness to claim Newman as one of the their own, both “liberal” and “conservative” Catholics might be shocked to discover upon reading him, that he would be profoundly uncomfortable with both sides.