The demanding paradox

The countryside around Durham is alive with history. Romans, invading Scots, Anglo-Saxon saints, medieval monks, recusants — all have left their mark. In the city itself, high above the bend in the river, tower the Norman cathedral and castle which, in one magnificent gesture, seem to typify all the strength and character of the Northern heritage.
Four miles to the west of the cathedral stands Ushaw College. Its story goes back to William Allen, a Lancashire man who, in 1568, founded a university college at Douai in the North of France to educate English priests, of whom 150 were to die for the Faith. Many of them are among our 40 canonised martyrs.
With the French Revolution, Douai moved to two new foundations in England — St. Edmund's, Ware, in the South, and Ushaw in the North. Since 1808 Ushaw has educated more than 2,000 priests.
Those who knew the college before the Second Vatican --Council will remember its pride in being so firmly rooted in history and especially in the traditions of Douai — even to such details as retaining its games and daily timetable.
But how would a college so steeped in history and tradition, so much the child of the Council of Trent, be facing up to the challenge of the modern world and the inspiration of Vatican II?
In 1969, after 16 years in parish work, I was asked to return to the college as a member of staff. I came, not knowing what to expect. At first everything seemed different except the buildings, and even these had been extended.
The academic programme is now guided completely by the decrees of the Council. Perhaps the most significant change is that Ushaw, since 1968, has had the advantage of being linked with the University of Durham as a licensed hall of residence.
Students with entry qualifications can read theology in the university as part of their academic preparation for the priesthood. Some of the seminary staff are part-time lecturers in the university. This is surely ecumenism in depth.
Within the college itself the daily life of a student is corn plctcly different from what it was ten years ago. Then it was ruled by the hell. Now rules still remain, but they are at a
minimum. • What is expected from a candidate for the priesthood is clearly spelt out, but it is for each student with the help of his personal director, whom he visits regularly, to develop for himself a sense of responsibility and initiative.
My task in 1969 was to introduce another important change — a course of pastoral training throughout the six years. In addition to his social studies, each student now goes into the conurbations nearby for an afternoon or evening each week for the widest variety of pastoral work.
There is, in fact, a paradox about it all. In spite of the differences, Ushaw is as firmly linked to its history and tradition as ever. It is grappling with the problems of its time as it has always done, since Douai 400. years ago faced the problems of the Reformation.
And it is meeting them with confidence. There is no loss of nerve in the face of change. The morale of the students is higher tnan I have ever `known it. There is a reassuring balance about their approach to renewal.
They try to make their main priority finding God in prayer and leading others to God. Their dedication to bringing from the treasures of the Church "new things and old" today could well predict for tomorrow a rich renewal in the Church. of Cuthbert and Bele.
by Fr. Brian Green