The United Kingdom today is quite a different place than in Newman’s day. Churchgoing Anglicans are few. The cultural atmosphere is one of secular hostility toward religion in general. England is in danger of completely losing its religious patrimony, which includes not just ecclesiastical riches such as the Anglican liturgical tradition and ancient Catholic places of worship, but also the secular results of that patrimony ”” the rule of law, respect for the individual, a free economic system.
Some in England seem to have forgotten that heritage. Recently, for example, the archbishop of Canterbury suggested ”” in the name of tolerance and diversity ”” that the United Kingdom would do well to allow sharia, the harshest form of Islamic law, to govern in some circumstances.
We do not hear similarly high-profile calls for a specifically Christian perspective in the administration of secular law.
Newman’s example, therefore, remains necessary. He challenged ”” as Pope Benedict XVI is doing ”” the central tenets of the modern age and did not shy away from speaking out when he found them wanting.
Read it all.
Gerald J. Russello (NCR)–The English Cardinal, the German Pope and the Universal Call
The United Kingdom today is quite a different place than in Newman’s day. Churchgoing Anglicans are few. The cultural atmosphere is one of secular hostility toward religion in general. England is in danger of completely losing its religious patrimony, which includes not just ecclesiastical riches such as the Anglican liturgical tradition and ancient Catholic places of worship, but also the secular results of that patrimony ”” the rule of law, respect for the individual, a free economic system.
Some in England seem to have forgotten that heritage. Recently, for example, the archbishop of Canterbury suggested ”” in the name of tolerance and diversity ”” that the United Kingdom would do well to allow sharia, the harshest form of Islamic law, to govern in some circumstances.
We do not hear similarly high-profile calls for a specifically Christian perspective in the administration of secular law.
Newman’s example, therefore, remains necessary. He challenged ”” as Pope Benedict XVI is doing ”” the central tenets of the modern age and did not shy away from speaking out when he found them wanting.
Read it all.