A Victorian Convert Quintet: Studies in the Faith of Five Leading Victorian Converts to Catholicism from the Oxford Movement

In this fascinating study of the faith journeys of five converts to Catholicism from the Oxford Movement, Fr. Michael Clifton invites the reader to consider the lessons we might learn from this quintet of learned men. The author’s years of painstaking original research have brought to life the stories of Robert Coffin, the ultramontane Archbishop; Frederick Oakeley, the thoughtful moderate; Richard Sibthorp, who reconverted to Anglicanism but died a Catholic; Richard Simpson, an anguished liberal; and St. George Jackson Mivart who was excommunicated for heresy. This books gives fascinating insights into the lives of five men whose conversions cost them much suffering, but who ended up holding quite diverse beliefs. Quoting from original source material, including sermons and articles, Fr. Clifton’s lively account will be welcomed by scholars of Newman and the Oxford Movement, as well as anyone with an interest in the nineteenth century roots of many of the problems faced in the Church today.
The stories of giants such as Newman and Manning are well known, but there is less awareness and understanding of more ordinary people who followed Newman’s journey of faith…Fr. Clifton describes five such people, all closely involved with Newman. Some of the stories are inspiring, almost heroic …some of the converts caused much grief …(others) do not seem to have acknowledged the concept of dogma or the teaching authority of the Magisterium. A Victorian Convert Quintet gives an enjoyable insight into an almost forgotten era.