Catholics: The Church and its People in Britain and Ireland, from the Reformation to the Present Day

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 640 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2018
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

From the Reformation to the present day, Catholicism has had a complex and often challenging history in Britain. The Act of Supremacy, which established Henry VIII as the head of the Church and severed ties with Rome, marked the beginning of a period of persecution and discrimination for English Catholics. Despite the passage of emancipation acts in the 19th century, Catholics continued to face institutionalized discrimination.

The Catholics, a groundbreaking book that tells the story of Catholicism in Britain in a single volume, provides a wealth of previously unpublished information. It focuses on the lives, struggles, and sacrifices of individual Catholics, including martyrs, apostates, priests, laymen, converts, and recusants. The book explores the laws that confined Catholics, the political tensions that shaped their position within an essentially Anglican nation, and the changes in dogma and liturgy that led to increasing alienation from Protestant neighbors.

The survival of Catholicism in Britain is a testament to the resilience and unwavering faith of its followers. It is not merely a result of blind belief but a victory of moral and spiritual certainty. Catholicism has thrived because it refuses to compromise its principles, a characteristic that even hardened atheists can admire.

Throughout the three hundred years following the Act of Supremacy, English Catholics faced relentless persecution and discrimination. They were prosecuted, persecuted, and penalized for publicly expressing their faith. Even after the emancipation acts were passed, Catholics continued to endure institutionalized prejudice.

The Catholics, the first book to comprehensively cover the history of Catholics in Britain, offers a wealth of previously unpublished information. It delves into the lives, struggles, and triumphs of individual Catholics, highlighting their sacrifices and contributions to British society. The book also explores the laws that restricted Catholics, the political tensions that shaped their position within an essentially Anglican nation, and the changes in dogma and liturgy that led to increasing alienation from Protestant neighbors.

The survival of Catholicism in Britain is a remarkable achievement, reflecting the unwavering faith and resilience of its followers. It is a victory of moral and spiritual certainty, a testament to the strength of Catholicism's principles and the resilience of its community. The book serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complex history of Catholicism in Britain and its enduring impact on the country.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 197 x 131 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780099587545