Prime Minister Tony Blair only announced his Catholicism after he left office to avoid any negative media, and it is only now after the marriage of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton, now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, that the idea of a royal being allowed to marry a catholic is being discussed. Whilst Bishops from the Church of England currently sit in the House of Lords, us Catholics still look to Rome for direction. With the issue of Gay Marriage currently on the political agenda, and in an increasingly secularising country, what is it like to be a practising Catholic in modern Britain?
A little about my situation to shed some light on where this story goes may help to start with. I was raised a Catholic by my parents, we all used to have to go to Mass on Sunday, as well as the usual services of Christmas and Easter. This is a common beginning for many “cradle Catholics,” and disappointingly, as far as many get. Speaking to some of my friends at church during the holidays and asking what their parish is like at university, the common reply is “I only really go to church when I’m home.” Religion is something we grow out of. Interestingly though, there is not so much a case of this amongst my more Protestant friends. They seemed to have a great teaching in what it meant to be a Protestant, often reflected against the Catholic traditions, and some of the toughest questions growing up came from them.
My university is fortunate that it not only had a large Christian Union that was un-characteristically not hostile to Catholics, (they are made up largely of/by Protestants) as well as a dedicated Catholic chaplaincy with its own “parish” priest. It was this coming to university that two things happened with my faith. Firstly, my faith became my own, separate from my parents. Secondly I faced the first real challenges to it. Growing up I had a fairly immature faith, largely based on what I had been told at Mass. My friends at school never really cared much about it, though they did make reference to it when I had had a few too many to drink. “Oh look at the good Christian,” or similar. However, now I entered the realm of the learned academia that saw faith for the unintelligent, there was even an Atheist Society. Here I received various reactions ranging from strong curiosity, mild un-interest, and out-right refutation. One friend’s quote when he found out was “I am going to de-convert you!”
Religion, or faith, the two can be separated, for me and for many Christians is a private affair. It influences how we live, but there are few outward signs of the faith. It is often taken for granted that we live in a Christian country, and though this may be historically true, it is increasingly unapparent on the streets of the country. Challenges not only come from those who seek to dissuade one from their faith but from trying to live a “university life” and a faithful one.
The UK has a history of being a Christian nation, and there is a mist of this still left over. However, it is simply that – a mist. Increasingly “secular” is becoming to mean “anti-religion” as opposed to “neither for nor against.” It is feeling like people are apologising for our Christian history in a very British way to the extent that in any instance of Christianity vs. X, X will likely win out. Furthermore, the natural tendencies of British politeness, the understatement, and the oft misperception of coldness which is more a desire to keep what is important to us private means that faith is rarely expressed. Many are often surprised when they find out that I’m a practicing Catholic, and the discussion can swiftly move on almost out of some sense of awkwardness. Faith is best discussed either “amongst ourselves” or in a particular debate. There is little casual reference to it.
Firstly, the challenges posed by “others.” It can be very trying to have to constantly defend your faith against those who have no desire to find out about your own faith, and who have no inclination to faith themselves, but simply wish to pick at yours. It is with these people that you can have the same conversation on more than one occasion, and if there are a few beers involved it can become quite heated. These sorts of conversations can become a fairly personal attack with an interesting presentation of facts. An example may help. During the high profile revelations of child molestation amongst priests, one case was reported with much fanfare in the local paper in Southampton. However at the same time there were three teachers also under investigation, yet none of these were mentioned. Then there are the standard cases of the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition being presented. This is where I talk about “faith” and “religion” being separate. Religion is the formal institutions, created by fallible man. Faith is the personal relationship between yourself and God. In this instance I am being held accountable for actions that have nothing to do with me. I understand the representative part but all in all it but come
However, the hardest part is defiantly the trying to live a “uni life” whilst a faithful one. The drinking culture of many societies is a strong and prevalent one, and whilst Catholics aren’t prohibited from drinking, getting drunk is not the best idea. The second issue here is that of women. Once drunk, many inhibitions are loosened, and the culture of one night stands is high. It is easy to fall into this trap. And some of the girls are just gorgeous, so resisting is hard. Now it would be fantastic if I could go out with my society, have a few drinks and provide a good witness, go home by myself and save a confessional. I may have slipped once or twice. This is where those around you become a great help. Having a group of friends at university, largely discovered through the chaplaincy, is a great source of strength.
It is with this community of people that faith is easiest expressed, and nurtured. Though many of my friends know I’m catholic and have their own opinions, it is here that I can come for solace and support. Whilst many people mistakenly believe that as a Christian, and Catholic at that, I am whiter-than-white, that I should be above any wrong. With the community of friends at the chaplaincy is a group of people that understand that as well as being Catholic we are also human and able to fail. Here we can share experiences, gain strength from one another, and find the resolution to “keep the faith.” There is also of course my own prayer life, both at home and in Mass. Great strength can and does come from this, but the shared experience with those at university is of great help.
So through my time at university I have discovered whole new aspects of life, and faith. I have found that there are not only people who do not share my faith, but people who will go to great lengths to squash it. I have found that there are many people my age who are alive with their faith, that it is not the privilege of the old. I have found new challenges that make me re-evaluate my faith and my relationship with God. Ultimately I have made my faith my own, my relationship with God has matured and I understand it as my own personal one with Him. I’m not going to pretend I’m perfect, I’m human, but I try, I learn about my faith, I try to make Him happy.
Author: Christopher Gardner
The Cave 