Thomas More Society of America

Bishop John Fisher

and

'The King's Great Matter’

On January 19, Mary Ellen Bork offer cogent reflection on John Fisher, a major figure not often considered by the Thomas More Society. Her diligent research was much in evidence in the presentation. What follows are a few points that have stayed with me these last two weeks.

Bishop Fisher was a humanist who favored church reform.  He was well known in England. Henry VIII sought his advice on the question of divorce. His advice, however, was not what Henry expected. 

The broader issue that Mary Ellen sketched was the transition going in England and Europe. Fishers’ fellow Bishops thought that things were running well.  They opposed Henry on his efforts to exert more control over the church. They thought that this particular marriage controversy would pass.  So they did not oppose Henry on the divorce. Their focus was narrow.

What was beginning to happen was a ‘sea change.’ The political and spiritual landscape was altering and would never be the same. The ascendancy of political leaders over the church was being established. It was not a matter of specific controls but of establishing a whole new mindset. Fisher opposed this and was executed.

The presentation provokes numerous questions—Why is Thomas More remembered and John Fisher in the shadows of history; what was the role of the papacy in those days and now. Such questions call for more study of both men and of the period in which they lived.

John W. Crossin, OSFS

The Thomas More Society plans a series of further luncheon lectures to celebrate its anniversary.