User:OrangeDog/Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy

The Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy, known as Fisher House after English martyr and Cambridge chancellor St. John Fisher, is the Catholic chaplaincy for members of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1896, it is now located on Guildhall Street in the centre of Cambridge.

Operation
Finances managed by the Cambridge University Catholic Association (CUCA). Chaplain and assistants appointed by Oxford and Cambridge Catholic Association Board (OCCEB). Day-to-day operation handled by the chaplain and the student-run Fisher Society. The chaplain and their assistants oversee the pastoral care of university members, while the Fisher Society committee organises social events.

About 500 people come to the three Sunday Masses, including one in Latin, and 30 to 40 attend daily Mass. (EWTN)

Regular events
Mass every weekday in term. Four Sunday Masses - vigil in the extraordinary form, sung Latin Mass, sung English mass and said English mass. Annual Fisher Mass in Great St Mary's, Gilbey requiem.

Fisher dinner, fancy dress saints and sinners, garden party at local Dominican priory, annual series of Fisher Lectures.

SVP work, bible study, discussion groups on Catholicism, ethics, philosophy, poetry, etc., bar, lunches

Music
Schola Cantorum provides traditional plainchant mass settings and classical motets. Recent tours to Paris, Munich and Sicily. English choir provides traditional hymns and other church music.

Pope Benedict XVI
As Cardinal John Ratzinger, visited in January 1988 to give a Fisher Lecture on Consumer Materialism and Christian Hope. Later made a personal donation of €3000 to the chaplaincy in 2007. One of the guest rooms is called the Papal Suite.

Foundation and Early Years (1856-1924)

 * Cambridge University Act (1856) - non-Anglicans allowed to become college members and receive degrees. Not allowed fellowships until 1871.
 * CPF decrees that attending Oxbridge is a danger to faith, to public dismay (Newman)
 * 1895 - Prohibition lifted after petition led by Baron Anatole von Hügel, with the requirement that courses on philosophy, history and religion are provided
 * Not more than 12 undergrads in any year previously
 * University Catholic Education Board founded
 * Nolan appointed 16 Jan
 * Fisher Society founded as a literary and debating society
 * 1896 - Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk buys buildings; chaplaincy established at St Edmunds House in Nov


 * 1899 - CUCA founded
 * Rooms at 2 Green Street rented by CUCA in Oct
 * 1902 - Barnes moves into Llandaff House, backing onto Downing
 * Marshall rented rooms at 50 Bridge Street, then 2 Round Church Street from the Union

Oxford and Cambridge forced to open doors to Catholics in 1871 after the repeal of the Test Act. In 1867 Rome ruled "that it is next to impossible to find circumstances in which non-Catholic universities could be frequented without mortal sin". By 1890s Catholic scholars had become fellows including Baron Anatole von Hügel. Due to petitions from academics and wealthy Catholic families the ban was lifted in 1895 and the chaplaincy was founded the following year, with Fr Edmund Nolan as chaplain.

The next chaplain, Monsignor Barnes, purchased Llandaff House (now demolished) on St. Andrew's street to house the chaplaincy, having previously been moved to Bridge Street, then at Round Church Street near the Union. After a brief closure during the war, Fr Bernard Marshall and then Fr John Lopes were appointed chaplain.

Fisher House (1924-present)

 * 1924 - Black Swan bought by CUCA for £10,000 with £2500 spent on alterations
 * Chaplaincy moved there and named Fisher House
 * 1925 - official opening 4 May, feast of John Fisher
 * Gilbey was previous president of the Fisher Society
 * 1937 - women's chaplaincy founded at Lady Margaret House
 * Old chapel located in upper room
 * 1966 - Women's chaplaincy merged into Fisher House
 * 1967 - new hall and side chapel built
 * 2008 - appeal allows hall to become permanent chapel

An interesting cluster of buildings, two old houses, joined at right angles to each other. One (housing library incl. student bar and kitchen, studies) overhangs the street and is 16th century. The other (housing dining room, kitchens, great chamber, living quarters) is reached via alleyways and is early 17th century with medieval cellars. The Great Chamber on the first floor, well lit with oak beams and antique furniture, paintings and tapestry, is one of the most pleasant rooms in Cambridge.(Murville & Jenkins)

Buildings re-arranged. Hall constructed. £2 million appeal. Cimabue crucifix.

Chaplains

 * Fr Edmund Nolan (1896-1905)
 * Mgr Arthur Barnes (1905-1916)
 * Fr James Bernard Marshall (1918-1922)
 * Fr John Lopes (1922-1928)
 * Fr George MacGillivray (1928-1932)
 * Mgr Alfred Gilbey (1932-1965)
 * Fr Richard Incledon (1965-1977)
 * Fr Maurice Couve de Murville (1977-1982)
 * Dom Christopher Jenkins, OSB (1982-1988)
 * Fr John Osman (1988-1994)
 * Fr Allan White, OP (1995-2001)
 * Fr Alban McCoy, OFM Conv (2001-present)

Famous speakers

 * Joseph Ratzinger
 * Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
 * Faustino Sainz Muñoz

Wanted images

 * Courtyard incl. Gilbey's grave and Our Lady plaque
 * View from Fisher Square incl. "Chapel of St John Fisher" sign
 * View from top of Grand Arcade incl. roof garden
 * Ratzinger visit image? (in archive vol. III)

Category:Religious organizations established in 1896 Category:Roman Catholic Church in England Category:University of Cambridge Category:Buildings and structures in Cambridge [[:Category:Religion in Cambridge]