Catholic Central High School - Shamrock Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

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I I+' 5 smermnoclc St. fofzn giallefz By ARTHUR WALIGORE Unus duorum -St. John Fisher deserves the distinction of being one of two among prominent Catholics who refused to bow to Henry VIIl's edict of Supremacy. The son of a merchant, he was born in Beverley, York- shire, England in 1459. After an elementary education in a parochial school, Cambridge graduated him with a B. A. in 1487. His M. A. followed in 1497. Soon after his ordination, his connection with the royal family began. To Margaret, the mother of Henry VIII he was confessor and counselor. But a zeal for learning was a consuming ambition. Acting in the capacity of Chan- cellor of Cambridge, he was instrumental in founding St. John's and Christ's College, Cambridge. In recognition of his personal piety and zeal, in 1504 he was raised to the Bishopric of Rochester. That same year also saw him Chancellor-elect of Cambridge. lt was he who encouraged Erasmus to establish classical studies at Cambridge. To Henry Vlll, with whom he had had so many wrangles, he was tutor. During the nefarious affairs of Henry in ridding himself of his lawful wife, Bishop Fisher devoted his great talents of oratory and writing to open criticism of the King's action. Because of Fisher's refusal to uphold the King's divorce, he incurred the enmity of Henry. After Cranmer as new Arch- bishop-elect had declared the divorce valid, a series of encroachments on Church property followed. When a poison attempt on the life of Fisher had failed in 1531, Henry, because of the influence Fisher had l1ad, confined Fisher to the Tower and confiscated his property when he refused to take the oath of supremacy. Even the high dignity of Fisher's office did not save him from Henry's wrath. Indeed, the Bishop was tried as a commoner on charges of treason. The court punishment was death by hanging, however, the sentence was altered. ln 1534 he was decapitated and his head displayed to the public on London Bridge. As he lived, so he died, courageously and calmly, ex- emplifying to the very end the attributes of the true martyr.

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isl- Si. Zylwmad Jlloze By WILLIAM BRODERICK One great blot on the history of English Catholicism was the failure of all but two of the outstanding English Cath- olics of the time to oppose Henry VIII and his schismatic scheme. This, however, only serves to make these two, Thomas More and Bishop John Fisher, all the more out- standing. The result of the heroic action of these two was death on the scaffold for each. Thomas More was born in London in 1478, the son of a prominent lawyer. More received an excellent educa- tion, attending Cambridge, and at his father's behest, studied law. His success in this field soon attracted the attention of men prominent in English Court circles, in- cluding Henry VIII himself. During his increasingly successful career, More, a mar- ried man, did not neglect the spiritual side of his family. Every night they recited part of the daily office together. In addition, a private chapel was always maintained in the More household. Henry VIII, after deposing Cardinal Wolsey as his chan- cellor, invited More to become WoIsey's successor. Re- Iuctantly, and with a vow never to act against his princi- ples, More acceded. Soon after More's appointment, Henry broke with Rome, and all prominent Englishmen were compelled to take the oath of supremacy to the king. More and Bishop Fisher refused. Even after he was condemned to death, More retained his cheerfulness. On the scaffold, he instructed the exe- cutioner to be careful of his beard. For, he said, it has never committed treason. In these perilous times, St. Thomas More's staunch avowal of Catholicism, even to the extent of dying rather than lose it, should serve us as an example of fidelity. Towards this we can turn our eyes and perhaps find some measure of peace and hope in a war torn world which has almost lost all hope.

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L 34 HIS EXCELLENCY EDWARD MOONEY, D.D Archbishop of Defroif