can only hope that this is not so, as most of us eventually have to withdraw from the world of work. Could we not aspire to a flexible sys- tem which treats each case on its merits, neither pressing for retirement at 60 or 65, nor insist- ing on continuation beyond a person’s capacity to perform? Having large numbers of active, experienced persons retired compulsorily on reaching a particular birthday must indeed jeopardise our socio-economic devel- opment, especially in an ageing society. But so will hordes of elderly company chairmen, managers, lawyers, doctors and civil servants whose energies are waning but who have the legal right to remain in post for as long as they wish. Many competent older people, blessed with good health and feeling fulfilled, would be happy to stay in work. Equally, there are countless “younger” employees who would do well to retire at the earliest opportunity. Such an employee may be longing for release from this misery but too advanced in years to seek another job. The last thing that person needs is a sense that the goalposts keep moving and that there is no end in view without heavy financial loss. (Sr) Louise Swanston Namur, Belgium
luiza.ssmn@yahoo.com Marriage unesteemed
It is not in the least surprising that Edmund Adamus (News from Britain and Ireland, 4 September) has argued himself into a black hole. The Christian Churches in general and the Catholic Church in particular have nothing significant to say in favour of the married state: count the number of marriage hymns in your hymn book; count the number of married saints compared with the celibate; name a work on the joys of marriage by a major theologian; list the number of the 86 sermons in the best- known commentary on that supremely erotic work, the Song of Songs, by St Bernard of Clairvaux which deal with married love between man and woman. The Church’s promotion of marriage is like
a teetotaller advocating the joys of alcohol. Why should the faithful care about marriage if its hierarchy is at best indifferent and at worst ranks it below the celibate state. Kevin Carey Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, West Sussex
kmcarey@atlas.co.uk
Champion of social Catholicism While rejoicing at the beatification of Cardinal Newman, it is nevertheless good to see men- tion made of the unjustly neglected Cardinal Manning (“Apologias for other great lives”, 4 September).
It might be argued that Manning is an equally remarkable figure. The friend of statesmen and
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28 | THE TABLET | 18 September 2010
champion of the poor, he refused to build Westminster Cathedral: “Could I leave 20,000 children without education, and drain my friends and my flock to pile up stones and brick?” Newman was not unconcerned with the pastoral needs of his flock; Manning got out of his chair and actively promoted them. This champion of social Catholicism negoti- ated on behalf of the London dockers, and sat on a Royal Commission for Housing (how sig- nificant is that in Victorian England!). No wonder his funeral was the largest seen in Victorian London. His programme is said to have influenced Rerum Novarum, and certainly established Catholic education in this country. If Newman was the father of Vatican II, Manning may be considered the father of Catholic Social Teaching. It was Manning, more than any other leader before Cardinal Hume, who brought Catholicism into the mainstream of public life. As The Tablet reported in 1890, “To Cardinal Manning more than to any other man is due that English Catholics have at last outgrown the narrow cramped life of the past … and stand in all things on a footing of equality with their fellow countrymen.” Is it too much to hope that one day, along- side his fellow convert, this exceptional and holy man may also be raised to the altars of the Church that he served so faithfully? (Mgr) Mark Langham Rome, Italy
mlangham@christianunity.va
Martyr of conscience John Wilkins (“In all conscience”, 11 September) writes of some of the lights of Christian conscience during the darkness of the Third Reich. I would like to add another, Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer who in August 1943 was beheaded in Berlin for “undermining military morale” by refusing to serve in Hitler’s army. A self-educated man and devout Catholic, he wrote many notes on his discernment and powerful letters from prison, including these words: “Now I will write down a few words here, just as they come to me from my heart. And though I write them with my hands in chains, better than my will in chains.” Sadly, Jägerstätter received little support from the Church at the time; in fact, some priests and bishops encouraged him to coop- erate and undertake military service. But he knew that no power on earth could suppress a person’s conscience. It took many years of quiet work to promote the story and cause of Franz Jägerstätter. In October 2007, he was beatified in his home diocese of Linz. Cardinal Schönborn of Vienna called him one of the great “martyrs of conscience” who sacrificed his life to follow his conscience. The declaration of beatification is signed by Pope Benedict XVI. Perhaps we will hear more of this non-violent peacemaker during the papal visit to illustrate the impor- tance of conscience in addressing the violence and injustice of our own time. Pat Gaffney
General Secretary, Pax Christi
coordinator@paxchristi.org.uk
The living Spirit
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter … said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
John 21:15-17
“Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord. The fact that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with insufficient instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers. In the joy of the risen Lord, con- fident of his unfailing help, let us move forward. The Lord will help us, and Mary, his most holy mother, will be on our side. Thank you.”
Pope Benedict XVI (19 April 2005)
And I hold in veneration, For the love of Him alone, Holy Church as His creation, And her teachings as His own. John Henry Newman
True it is that numberless offences occur in the kingdom; but when its members sin, its original principle is abandoned, and its life is imperilled; on the other hand, by truth, by justice, by mercy, by sanctity, it arose, it gained power, and it keeps it. It awes men into obedience ... by its vis- ible tokens of a divine ministry; by the weapons of God ... Thus the heavenly king- dom rose at the first: thus, and thus only, in spite of its untrue members, which cum- ber it, is it still maintained. Thus it fulfils the paradox of being a holy Church, yet containing “not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour”.
John Henry Newman Sermons on Subjects of the Day, 17
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