Cor Ad Cor Loquitur

An interview with Fr Richard Duffield, Cong. Orat. In this interview, Cor ad Cor loquitur, James McCullough interviews Fr Richard Duffield, Cong. Orat., Provost of the York Oratory, about the influence St. Philip Neri had on Newman and how it was reflected in his work in Birmingham. The program starts with a reflection on the similarities between Newman and St Philip Neri, the founder of the Oratory order. Fr Richard identifies the fact that Newman was aware of St Philip early on in his career as he compares the temperament of one of his friends to that of St Philip - his friendliness, approachability and sense of fun. It also becomes clear that the Oratory order is clearly well suited to Newman as Newman likens it to living in an Oxford college, or like home. It enables him to draw his convert friends together, each doing their own diverse work within the order, cultivating their friendships. This was important to Newman as one who evangelises through friendship. Yet in other ways Newman is a different character to St Philip as he is more serious, although still with a sense of humour, whereas St Philip, being the patron saint of the youth was always joking and being fun. However both drew people together in friendship. The conversation then touches on other themes: Newman’s value for the feminine character, through his appointment of his school matron to an equal status of that of the headmaster. It also considers if there was a reluctance from Newman of being sent to Birmingham - a point raised as Birmingham was not seen as a ‘centre’ as London was. Yet he was there on a mission to serve the working and middle classes which he readily embraced. His gift as a writer is explored. He himself said that he ‘prayed best with a pen in his hand’ and he wrote for 18 hours a day sometimes. It was then considered whether his appointment as a Cardinal impacted his work in any way and it is shown how his writing, both as a Catholic and as an Anglican, was given great authority as a result. In addition, he enjoyed closer relationships with many Anglicans afterwards and his relationships with his family and Anglican friends improved. Reflecting further on his writing, we learn that after writing his spiritual autobiography, his ‘Apologia’, much of the previous hostility to him ceased. It was a result of his openness and honesty about what he had believed throughout his life that showed that he was not part of a great Romanist ‘plot’ but that he was preaching the truth as he believed it. The programme draws us to reflect on his later years. As a cardinal he was required to have a private chapel and Fr Richard gives us a tour of the chapel, seeing the many photos of his friends that he placed there so that he could remember them whilst saying Mass. We hear of his legacy, be that as an Evangelist, an apologist, a theologian or a worker for the poor. In answer, it is a bit of everything but how we remember him is by his many writings: his hymns, poems, sermons, autobiography, and letters. We have to make our own personal contact with him but there are many points of entry. He awaits us to listen so that his heart can speak unto our heart.