ST PAULS book shop reviews ‘Blessed John Henry Newman’ by Michael Rear
Monday, 23rd August 2010
News of the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI has been difficult to miss.
Whilst he is here the Pope will be declaring the beatification of the 19th Century priest and theologian, John Henry Cardinal Newman. Although on the surface of it this would appear to be a strictly Catholic affair, Newman’s immense influence on the Church of England cannot be underplayed. Indeed, Newman began life as a committed and quite vocal Anglican; it is, therefore, not surprising that a large amount of interest in his beatification has been generated from within the Anglican Communion.
There would be a tendency of some biographers to understate Newman’s Anglican roots, but Michael Rear’s book ‘Blessed John Henry Newman’, concisely and faithfully summarises his whole life and the legacy it provides. Rear quite expertly focuses on the key events of Newman’s life which led to his high regard as a preacher, his involvement in the Oxford Movement, his conversion to Roman Catholicism and his eventual appointment as a Cardinal. Newman’s considerable influence in both the First and the Second Vatican Councils are also discussed, the book noting that he has been described as the ‘unseen presence’ (P.30) at Vatican II.
In the book, the focus throughout is on Newman’s, often costly, commitment to spiritual integrity and the gospel. With what appears to be quite heartfelt sympathy, Rear discusses Newman’s journey with the Tractarian Movement and the events which eventually led to his rejection by Oxford and the Anglican Church. He goes on to discuss the causes of Newman’s not always harmonious relationship within Catholicism and is not afraid to draw out Newman’s disappointments at any stage:
For Newman, the crying need in the Church was for an educate laity, yet his was a voice crying in the wilderness when he suggested it. Clericalisation and the consequent inferior position of the laity was a weakness of the Church. His bishop disagreed with him. ‘He has a horror of laymen’, Newman confided. (P.27)
The concise but faithful nature of Rear’s book makes it an excellent starting point for those interested in the life of this intriguing and often controversial character. At slightly less then fifty pages in length, reading it will not require the same commitment as a more detailed biography, and at £4.95 ‘Blessed John Henry Newman’ is not going to break the bank. Furthermore, although respectful, the book is not bogged down in sentimentality or flowery devotions, it is, instead, entirely biographical.
There is certainly a wide selection of biographies on Newman and prayer books available at the moment, not to mention his personal writings, and if you are looking for something more detailed the staff of ST PAULS would be more then happy to help you. However, as a starting point, Rear’s short book is ideal and comes highly recommended.
David Cropper, ST PAULS.
Blessed John Henry Newman, St Pauls publishing, Published 2010, Cost: £4.95