V explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Religion and Authority

  The chapter explores the struggle for authority within the Roman Catholic Church in England, between the Old Catholics and the new converts, and the role of the Pope and Cardinal Wiseman.

• Ambition and Worldly Success

  Manning's rapid rise from a middle-aged neophyte to Archbishop of Westminster is depicted as a result of his ambition and strategic maneuvering.

• Critique of Victorian Hypocrisy

  The chapter implicitly critiques the hypocrisy of the Church of England and the social maneuvering within the Catholic community, as well as the superficiality of some religious practices.

Characters to notice

• Cardinal Manning

  Manning converts to Roman Catholicism, is placed in the Accademia Ecclesiastica, becomes head of the Oblates of St. Charles and Provost of the Chapter of Westminster, and becomes a central figure in the struggle with the Old Catholics.

• Cardinal Wiseman

  Wiseman, the newly created Archbishop of Westminster, seeks to reanimate the Roman Catholic community, appoints Manning to key positions, and is portrayed as a genial but ineffective figure whose policies provoke conflict.

• John Henry Newman

  Newman is mentioned as a more illustrious convert who was relegated to obscurity, and as a figure whose followers Wiseman sympathizes with.

• W. G. Ward

  Ward, a convert not in holy orders, is appointed Professor of Theology at St. Edmund's College by Wiseman, sparking Old Catholic unease.

• Dr. Errington

  Errington, an Old Catholic and Wiseman's coadjutor, becomes a fierce opponent of Manning, leading the resistance against the Oblates' control of St. Edmund's.

• Pius IX

  Pius IX appoints Manning to the Accademia Ecclesiastica, grants him special privileges, and is depicted as having a persuasive and innocent manner.

• Reverend Mr. Gorham

  The Gorham judgment is referenced as a factor that made the Anglican bishopric less appealing to Manning.

• Monsignor Talbot

  Talbot is mentioned as a personage of the Papal court with whom Manning became acquainted.

Key passages

• “What an escape for my poor soul!”

  Manning exclaimed that his soul was lucky to have avoided becoming a bishop in the Church of England.

  This quote illustrates Manning's view of the Anglican bishopric as inferior to his position in the Roman Catholic Church.

• “Then, Mr. Tierney, you think me insincere.”

  Manning angrily accused Mr. Tierney of doubting his sincerity when told his Anglican orders were invalid.

  This shows Manning's initial difficulty in accepting the Roman Catholic view of Anglican orders.

• “You may let the procession go on. I have just obtained permission, by special revelation, to proceed with it.”

  Cardinal Wiseman humorously claimed a special revelation to override the Master of Ceremonies' halt order.

  This anecdote highlights Wiseman's genial and somewhat whimsical character.