Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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OXFORD MOVEMENT

A concerted effort originating around 1833 at Oxford University to restore to the Church of England certain pre-Reformation principles, which through inertia and indifference had been lost. A restoration in faith and worship, with an insistence on its alleged Catholic character without any reference to union with Rome, characterized the movement. It was begun by Dr. Keble at Oxford and was carried on by John Henry Newman, Edward Pusey, Richard Froude, Frederick Faber, Isaac Williams, Charles Marriott, Bernard Dalgairns, and William Ward. The Tracts for the Times, written by the leaders, was a series of doctrinal papers setting forth the aims and teachings of the movement. Many of them were censured and condemned by the Established Church, and Ward's tract cost him his status by the Convocation of the University. Several of the leaders became Catholics, among them Newman and Ward. The movement seemed then to have ended, but its influence continued. The Church of England was transformed, and Anglo-Catholic party was definitely established, and the country at large became familiar with Catholic doctrine and practice.

See Also: TRACTARIAN MOVEMENT