1/ With the #NewmanCanonisation imminent, it’s worth remembering Newman’s devastating critique of liberalism in religion in his famous Biglietto Speech in a Thread. Here’s some of his more pointed remarks about liberal religion. #AmazonSynod people may be interested.
2/ Newman noted the “one great mischief I have from the first opposed myself. For thirty, forty, fifty years I have resisted to the best of my powers the spirit of liberalism in religion.” #NewmanCanonisation
3/ “Never,” Newman said, “did Holy Church need champions against [liberal religion] more sorely than now, when, alas! it is an error overspreading, as a snare, the whole earth.” #NewmanCanonisation
4/ Newman criticized “Liberalism in religion [as[ the doctrine that there is no positive truth in religion, but that one creed is as good as another, and this is the teaching which is gaining substance and force daily. #NewmanCanonisation
5/ Another problem with liberalism in religion, Newman wrote, is that “It is inconsistent with any recognition of any religion, as true.” #NewmanCanonisation
6/ Liberal religion erroneously claims, Newman stated, that “Revealed religion is not a truth, but a sentiment and a taste; not an objective fact, not miraculous; and it is the right of each individual to make it say just what strikes his fancy.” #NewmanCanonisation
7/ Liberalism in religion, Newman insisted, means that religion becomes “so personal a peculiarity and so private a possession, we must of necessity ignore it in the intercourse of man with man.” #NewmanCanonisation
8/ Newman goes on to describe liberalism in religion as “this great apostasia.” #NewmanCanonisation
9/ Newman finally insists “I lament [liberalism in religion] deeply, because I foresee that it may be the ruin of many souls.” Yes, that is what is at stake. #NewmanCanonisation
10/ In short, Newman was no friend to liberal religion. He thought that truth matters, especially religious truth, and had no time for muddle-headed sentimentalism. #NewmanCanonisation
12/ Know the real John Henry Newman, not a fake one. #NewmanCanonisation
13/ Greetings and all best wishes to those attending the #NewmanCanonisation And remember, Newman-was-no-friend-of-liberal-religion, whatever you might read in the Guardian or New York Times.
