THE
P RTAL
April 2013
Page 14
Thoughts on Newman
Securus judicat orbis terrarum
by Br Sean of The Work
Doubt is perhaps the most striking contrast one could imagine to faith and holiness. Yet the effect
which the witness of holiness has in the lives of Christians can be as powerful as the negative witnesses of
despair. Both holiness and doubt have a persuasive, almost contagious power of attraction.
The act of putting one’s faith in
God, of venturing into the unknown,
is an eloquent witness to faith in a
personal God who is love. But just as
holiness has the power of attraction
which urges man to act, so too does
the power of doubt when manifested
in the lives of others. Newman has
often been called the ‘Apostle to the
doubtful’ as he was keenly aware of
the destructive power which doubts
can have in the lives of Christians.
the ancient Father, interpreting and
summing up the long and varied
course of ecclesiastical history,
the theology of the Via Media was
absolutely pulverised.’ Newman
was careful not to share his doubts
with anyone at the time, and wrote
an article in the British Critic to try
to remedy the doubts others were
also experiencing. But the article
had particularly disconcerted of the
younger members of the Oxford
Movement. Many who had were
engaged in the movement did so
with the hope of bringing about a
renewal in the Church of England,
but now felt that the foundation
on which they were b uilding was
insecure.
Before Newman was received into
the Roman Catholic Church he
had to wrestle with doubt for many
years. However, during this time
he was convinced of one principle
- no decision made in doubt could
be relied upon. For Newman the act of faith was an
act which engaged the whole person, both mind and to obey his conscience
Wiseman’s article brought one of Newman’s
heart.
followers, Robert Williams, into a serious conflict
schismatic Donatists
of conscience. In November 1839 Newman wrote to
At the height of the Oxford Movement in 1839 Williams, advising him to obey his conscience. He
Newman became gravely concerned when he read an himself vowed that he would ‘try not to be unfaithful
article published by Nicholas Wiseman in the Dublin to the light given me. And if at any future time, I have
Review. The article, ‘The Anglican Claim to Apostolical any view opened to me, I will try not to turn from
Succession’, questioned the Catholicity of the Church it, but will pursue it, wherever it may lead.’ However
of England by comparing it to the position of the he advised Williams never to act on the bad counsel
schismatic Donatists in the fourth century.
which doubt provides: ‘I think I should not, even then,
act without having the sanction of one or two persons
judgement of the world is secure
whom I most looked up to and trusted.
When Newman read St Augustine’s words of challenge
to the Donatists: securus judicat orbis terrarium, (the
I am far from saying that there is not a degree of
judgement of the whole world is secure), he realised conviction so strong as to supersede all advice from
that the theological position he had adopted as an others, nay all delay. Nor would I deny that there may be
Anglcian was wrong. The description of the doubts supernatural guidances given in cases, of such a nature
that overcame him when he read these words belongs as to require prompt and unhesitating obedience. And
to some of the most striking we find in the Apologia.
if I felt either this conviction or this guidance, I should
have to act in a way which others would call rash, and
Critic to try to remedy the doubts
must leave my conduct in the hands of Him who had
Many years later he wrote: ‘By those great words of inspired it.’