Basil Hume: The Monk Cardinal

by Anthony Howard

On his death in 1999, the London Times observed: “Few churchmen in this century, inside or outside the Catholic Church, have died more deeply loved.” Basil Hume’s 23-year reign brought with it a state of harmony within the Catholic Church that hadn’t been enjoyed for four centuries. A deeply holy man, Hume knew at an early age the path he wanted to follow, but it was never an easy journey. Ultimately, however, nothing could deter his dedication to that in which he believed, including his tireless campaign on behalf of the Maguire Seven and the Guildford Four. Granted unique access to Cardinal Hume’s private papers and the people who knew him best, Anthony Howard chronicles Hume’s long reign with clarity and insight.

Genres: Religion, Biography

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Anthony Michell Howard, CBE, was a British journalist, broadcaster and writer. He was the editor of the New Statesman, The Listener and the deputy editor of The Observer. He selected the passages used in The Crossman Diaries, a book of entries taken from Richard Crossman's The Diaries of a Cabinet Minister.

Reviews

[Brian Robbins · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was typical of those biographies produced quickly after a public figure's death for general readers with a desire to know a bit more about the person recently in the news. Given access to public archived material & some of his letters + interviews with some people who knew him, Anthony Howard produced a readable, lightweight narrative of Hume's life - no more, no less.

As an agnostic, political journalist, Howard wisely took greatest interest in Hume's involvement in gaining justice for the McGuire's & the Guildford 4, in his dealings with Bruce Kent & the frictions that the latter's involvement with CND produced, his relationship with the royal family, and various aspects of his relationships with both the Vatican & the Church of England.

Within the very limited scope of the biography, Howard produced a fair-minded approach to whatever judgements he made on the man & his work. But by their nature these were at a shallow level.

[John Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very human portrait of a very human, loveable man. Extremely interesting and balanced. Hume did much to advance the status of the Catholic church in the UK and the fortunes of the ecumenical movement.

As well as being a likeable man he was a shrewd operator on the national stage. The extent of his success can be seen from the fact that the Queen (Head of State and the Church of England) apparently came to refer to him as "my Cardinal".

Despite the fact that he was a monk and therefore for many years apart from the world he had the common touch. He was fearless in his campaign for justice, including for those wrongfully imprisoned for the Guildford bombing. On the sudden death of Princess Diana he held a requiem mass in Westminster Cathedral for her, hardly the action of a state poodle!

Howard's portrait is not fawning. He does not hide the blemishes of character which were part of BH's make up - and humanity. I highly recommend it.

[J Grimsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long admired Basil Hume and this is a good biography of him. Well worth Reading

[Mike Print · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tablet called this 'A Rolls-Royce of a biography' and I am inclined to agree. Spell-bounding from beginning to end.