The theology and reality of the laity in Newman

Abstract

It may come as a surprise that of all the studies that have been done on Newman, relatively few have focused on his ideas about the laity. Those studies which do discuss this theme usually limit their treatment to the sensus Jidelium. Moreover, they tend merely to comment on the subject instead of treating it in a systematic way. In order to do justice to the subject of Newman and the laity, it seems necessary first of all to take into account all of Newman's works, including his letters, and not to limit our field to his famous article On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine. We will also want to consider some works of systematic theology, which are not usually used in this type of study, but which are necessary to situate Newman's thought in the appropriate theological framework.