State religions have often been the bane of pure faith. The reason for this can be summed up in Our Lord’s command, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." (Mark 12: 14-17)
With few exceptions, state religions often force believers to trust in the power of the King before submitting to the yoke of Our Lord. The heresies that begin under King Henry VIII and continue under his pragmatic, morally lukewarm daughter, Elizabeth I, are ample testimony to this fact. With the wholesale theft of English monastic lands by Henry and the rapacious Parliament, a state religion becomes an absolute prerequisite. If Henry isn’t the head of the church, how can such morally reprehensible actions be theologically justified? Quite simply, they cannot be justified, so Henry sets up his own church with himself as the head. His practical daughter, Elizabeth I, simply carries the project to the next stage. Like her father, she also declares herself the head of the church, and then later decrees that any Englishmen becoming priests are traitors, and any lay persons helping priests are also guilty of treason. The punishment for both clergy and laity is the same, with both groups being hung, drawn and quartered. Evelyn Waugh has written a powerful account of this evil time in English history. The name of this penetrating book is "Saint Edmund Campion: Priest and Martyr."
The saga begins with Elizabeth I travelling to Oxford University to meet the faculty and to seek talented men capable of helping her found a new church. Due to her father’s persecutions and her own suppression of the Catholic hierarchy, many talented clerics have been killed or jailed, and their replacements often owe their offices to their submission to state authority rather than innate talent. Because of this, the ever down-to-earth Elizabeth needs first-rate intellectuals to work in her government and new church if both are to thrive. At Oxford University, a young professor named Edmund Campion stands apart for his outstanding intellect and virtuous character. Campion is just the type of man Elizabeth desires. Edmund is brought to her and it soon becomes clear to everyone that the young professor can have all the riches and honors of the world if he will acquiesce to Elizabeth’s designs. But after the offer, young Campion’s heart becomes inflamed with love for the historic church of England, the Roman Catholic Church. He turns his back on the Queen’s lucrative proposal and enters the Catholic Seminary for English speakers in Douay, France. Elizabeth and her like minded counselors simply cannot understand why a man as gifted as Campion will not accept their offer to become a famous and wealthy leader of the church.
After many years of training, Father Campion returns to England. Under the ban, he courageously ministers to persecuted Catholics throughout England. But the priest-chasers have been paid by the Crown to find him. If caught, he will be hung, drawn and quartered for treason. The noose literally begins to tighten. What occurs? What is the famous treatise named "Campion’s Brag?" What brutal tortures does Elizabeth allow to be used on the stricken cleric? What takes place when the Queen asks for a second meeting with the priest? And finally, what happens to Father Campion, and why is he such a heroic figure in the Catholic Church? To find out, read this outstanding story by Evelyn Waugh, "Saint Edmund Campion: Priest and Martyr."
Evelyn Waugh is one of the most famous English writers in the 20th century. Among his many notable books is "Brideshead Revisted." Waugh details Campion’s limitations as well as his strengths in this compelling story of historical fiction. Because of this the novel has both truthfulness and accuracy. While the book is packed with numerous ideas and a complex writing style, it is a rewarding read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
