Excerpt from Catholic England in Modern Times

There are few subjects at this moment agitated amongst us which equal in interest or importance the discussion of the condition and prospects of the Church in England. The differences of opinion on the subject are extremely great. With some it is all couleur de rose, with others our prospects are as black as they can be. Temperament has doubtless something to do with the conclusions arrived at on either side, and it may be well worth while to try to ascertain, from a quiet investigation of facts, where the truth lies. It concerns it greatly to know whether we have our lot cast in a winning or a losing cause, and our duties may be affected by the results. Facts alone are worth considering, and unhappily facts are not easily come by. We will do all that it is in our power to do, in order to come to a just conclusion, when we set ourselves to look into our own times. But first it will be worth our while to see from what we have emerged, and then it will be well for us to examine our present condition, and to see how far it justifies us in being hopeful or alarmed. We will take our retrospect back a couple of centuries, and pass rapidly through cur comparatively recent history, before we look at our present state.

The last two centuries may well be regarded as forming a distinct period in the history of the Catholic Church in England. The year 1688 is the date of the revolution which, through the national hatred of the Catholic religion, caused what was euphemistically called the "Abdication" of James II., and the transfer of the crown of England to the Protestant branches of the Royal Family.

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