Aspects of John H. Newman's conversion : an inspiration for a pastoral journey with searching hearts

Abstract

The research leading to the composition of the dissertation entails an examination of the events and writings shedding light on John H. Newman’s conversion to the Catholic Faith an event envisaged as part of a long journey to progressive maturity in the faith. The dissertation starts by delineating a framework of important key concepts through which Newman's journey can be fruitfully interpreted. The dissertation then proceeds to consider, together with the relevant historical and theological context, Newman's "three conversions" or Newman's fundamental encounter with God, his subsequent attraction to liberalism and its rejection and his definitive conversion to the Roman Catholic Church. Ultimately the dissertation aims to demonstrate that Newman's journey of conversion can be presented as a pastoral paradigm for persons who are undergoing an interior spiritual pilgrimage toward the light of Eternal Truth as revealed in Christianity.