Basil Hume

Date of Birth: March 2, 1923

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: June 17, 1999

Biography

Basil Hume was a significant figure in the Roman Catholic Church, serving as the Archbishop of Westminster from 1976 until his death in 1999. Born George Basil Hume on March 2, 1923, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Hume was educated at Ampleforth College and later entered the Benedictine order, taking the name Basil. He studied at the University of Oxford and then at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, where he earned a licentiate in theology. Hume was ordained as a priest in 1950 and eventually became the Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey in 1963. His tenure as abbot was marked by a commitment to education, spirituality, and community. In 1976, he was appointed the Archbishop of Westminster, a position that made him the leading Catholic figure in England and Wales. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Paul VI later that year. Throughout his ecclesiastical career, Hume was known for his pastoral care, dedication to ecumenism, and efforts to modernize and humanize the Church. He played a key role in the papal visit of John Paul II to the UK in 1982 and was a respected voice in various social and ethical debates.

5 Interesting Facts about Basil Hume

1. Basil Hume was a trained physician before he fully committed to his religious vocation.

2. He played an influential role in the reconciliation efforts between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

3. Hume was known for his humility and lived a relatively simple life despite his high-ranking position.

4. He received the Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth II shortly before his death, making him one of the few religious figures to be so honored.

5. Hume authored several books, including “Searching for God” and “The Mystery of Love.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Basil Hume

1. “The great gift of Easter is hope – Christian hope which makes us have that confidence in God, in his ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake.”

2. “We are all pilgrims in search of God.”

3. “It is the love of God, not the fear of God, that should dominate our lives.”

4. “True faith is not a refuge for the faint-hearted, but something which enhances our lives.”

5. “The important thing is not to be successful, but to be faithful.”