Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy

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Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy
Fisher House
Fisher House - 100.jpg
Fisher House, the home of the Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy since 1924
Cambridge centre map.png
Red pog.svg
Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy
Location in Cambridge
52°12′17″N0°07′12″E / 52.20459°N 0.11989°E / 52.20459; 0.11989
Location Guildhall Street, Cambridge, CB2 3NH
CountryUnited Kingdom
Denomination Roman Catholic
Websitefisherhouse.org.uk
History
Founded1895
Founder(s)Pope Leo XIII, Baron Anatole von Hugel, & the Bishops of England and Wales
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade II listed
Administration
Diocese Overseen by the Oxford and Cambridge Catholic Education Board (OCCEB) on behalf of the BIshops of England and Wales
Clergy
Bishop(s) Rt Revd Nicholas Hudson
Chaplain(s) Fr Paul Keane, assisted by Fr Albert Robertson OP & Sr Dr Ann Swailes OP

The Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy, known as Fisher House after its patron the English martyr and Chancellor of Cambridge St John Fisher, is the Catholic Chaplaincy of the University of Cambridge in England. Founded in 1895, it has been on Guildhall Street, in Cambridge's city centre, since 1924. The Chaplain is Fr Paul Keane.

Contents

Operation

Garden of Fisher House from the upper floor of the Central Library Garden of Fisher House - geograph.org.uk - 1441257.jpg
Garden of Fisher House from the upper floor of the Central Library
Plaque by the entrance Fisher House - Cambridge - geograph.org.uk - 1259175.jpg
Plaque by the entrance

The Chaplaincy serves all the Catholic members of the University, from undergraduates to Fellows, and anyone else of the university who wishes to attend.

Mass is celebrated every day, and three times on Sundays (during term time): Sung Latin at 9.30 am, Sung English at 11 am, and at 5.30 pm. Weekly events in term time include Apologia on Tuesday nights (supper, guest speaker, Compline and the Bar) and the Black Swan Bar on Friday nights. Some of the significant annual events are the Fisher Mass on the first Bank Holiday in May (celebrated at Great St Mary's), the Fisher and Langham Lectures, the Fisher Society Dinner and Garden Party around May Week, and the Gilbey Requiem Mass in November.

Fisher House is owned by the Cambridge University Catholic Association (CUCA), which is also responsible for the Chaplaincy's finances. The Chaplain is appointed by the Bishops of England and Wales in consultation with the Oxford and Cambridge Catholic Education Board (OCCEB). The day-to-day running of the Chaplaincy is the Chaplain's responsibility, in consultation with CUCA and the Bishops' representative, who is Rt Revd Nicholas Hudson, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster. The Chaplain is supported in his ministry by the Assistant Chaplains. The Catholic Society for students of the University, the Fisher Society, works closely with the Chaplains, and organises many events.

History

The chaplaincy borrows the arms of its patron, St John Fisher. St John Fisher Arms.svg
The chaplaincy borrows the arms of its patron, St John Fisher.

Foundation and early years (1871-1924)

Oxford and Cambridge universities opened their doors to Catholics in 1871 after the repeal of the Test Acts. However, the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith decreed that it would be next to impossible for the ancient English universities to be frequented without mortal sin, stressing the dangers of an increasing atmosphere of liberalism and scepticism. [1] This decision was met with public outcry from the wealthy laity, who wished for their sons to attend Oxbridge colleges. [2] After a petition led by the Catholic Cambridge Fellow Baron Anatole von Hügel, this ban was lifted in 1895 by Pope Leo XIII with the condition that a Chaplain be appointed, a Library with Catholic books be founded, and public lectures on philosophy, history and religion be established. [3] [4]

As a result of this, the Universities Catholic Education Board (later OCCEB) was founded and Fr Edmund Nolan was appointed Chaplain. At the same time, the Fisher Society was founded by Cambridge students as a literary and debating society. Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk purchased property in Cambridge and the Chaplaincy was established at St Edmund's House in November 1886. [3] The first lectures were given by Cuthbert Butler, OSB, entitled "Questions of the Day". [5]

In 1899, CUCA was founded in order to purchase rooms for the chaplaincy at 2 Green Street. From there, the chaplaincy, under Monsignor Arthur Barnes, moved to Llandaff House, near Downing College. After a two year hiatus during the First World War, Fr Bernard Marshall established the Chaplaincy at 50 Bridge Street, and then 2 Round Church Street, next to the Union. [3]

Fisher House (1924-present)

The chaplaincy's replica of Cimabue's crucifix. Cimabue Fisher House.jpg
The chaplaincy's replica of Cimabue's crucifix.

In 1924, a Grade II listed [6] pub called the Black Swan on Guildhall St was purchased by CUCA for £10,000. The Chaplaincy and the home of the Chaplain was established here, with the new name of Fisher House. The site consists of two houses of c.1600, joined at right angles to each other, which form the Chaplain's home. Within the Chaplain's home is the Great Chamber, which has been described as one of the most pleasant rooms in Cambridge. [3]

A nineteenth-century wing is for the sole use of members of the university and consists of common room, kitchen, popular library and roof terrace.

The surprisingly large Chapel was completed in 1976, and sympathetically improved in 2011 (the first donation for these works was given by Pope Benedict XVI, who had stayed at Fisher House when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to give a lecture in 1988). [7] [8] A reconstruction of a c. 1280 Cimabue crucifix, was already in place since 2008, having been commissioned by the Chaplain, Fr Alban McCoy, from the Hamilton Kerr Institute. This 2m artwork was constructed according to contemporary medieval Italian methods, in particular those documented in Cennino Cennini’s c.1400 work Libro dell’Arte.

Mgr Alfred Gilbey, who was the Chaplain for 100 terms (1932-1965), is buried in the courtyard. He saved Fisher House from demolition in the Sixties when the other early modern properties surrounding it were destroyed by the Council. [9] Yet, it is not the buildings that make Fisher House but the students and other members of the University who worship at the Chaplaincy and create so many opportunities to grow in faith and enjoy each other's company.

List of the Chaplains

See also

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References

  1. Evenett, H.O. Catholics and the Universities, 1850–1950.
  2. The Letters and Diaries of John Henry Newman. Vol. 23. Oxford University Press. 1973.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Couve de Murville, M.N.L.; Jenkins, Philip (1983). Catholic Cambridge . Catholic Truth Society. ISBN   0-85183-494-9.
  4. Evenett, H.O. (1946), "The Cambridge Prelude to 1895", The Dublin Review (437)
  5. Butler, E. Cuthbert (12 November 1896), Announcement of first Catholic lectures in Cambridge on 'Questions of the Day', Cambridge University Archives, SOC.IV.11
  6. "Guildhall Street / Guildhall Place" (PDF). Cambridge City Council. June 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  7. Joan Lewis (30 January 2007). "Pope Benedict Donates £2,000 to Cambridge Catholic Chaplaincy". EWTN. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  8. "Pope contributes to priest appeal". BBC News. 28 January 2007. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  9. Beard, Madeleine, The Legacy of Monsignor Alfred Gilbey, 1901-1998, archived from the original on 30 September 2005, retrieved 12 October 2009

Further reading