Reginald C. Fuller
Encyclopedia
Reginald Cuthbert Fuller (12 September 1908 – 21 April 2011)
was ordained as a priest in 1931 by Cardinal Bourne, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster
, and appointed Canon (hon.) of Westminster Cathedral
by Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor in 2001. He celebrated his 100th birthday in 2008.
Born in London
, he contributed significantly to the advancement of Roman Catholic life and ecumenism
in England during the 20th century, notably through co-founding the Catholic Biblical Association of Great Britain, his collaboration as an Editorial Committee member of the first one-volume Bible commentary for English-speaking Catholics and his General Editorship of its second edition, and his work as a member of the Revised Standard Version Bible Committee and as Co-Editor of the first complete Bible translation in modern English for Catholics from the Hebrew and the Greek, as well as of its ecumenical edition. His specialist subjects were the Deuterocanonical Books
, on which he contributed articles to three major Biblical Commentaries (see "Publications" below), and the life and works of Alexander Geddes
, a pioneer of biblical criticism, on which he wrote his doctoral thesis (see "Publications" below).
, London, sent their son to Ealing Priory School (the subsequently renamed St Benedict's School
) where he happened to share classes and hone his Latin skills in contest with the 20 months younger, the later New Testament
scholar and his colleague on a number of major scholarly projects, John Bernard Orchard
. Recognizing his academic potential, they then decided to move their son to Cardinal Vaughan School, before sending him for the final years of his schooling to Ampleforth College
.
in 1931. His academic studies at the Dominican University in Rome earned him a SThL in 1933 and a SThD in 1935, and at the Biblical Institute in Rome a SScriptLic in 1934. During 1964-1968 he took up biblical research at Cambridge University and earned a Ph.D.
(1978–1983). After his retirement he served as Assistant Priest at the Church of St. Mellitus, Tollington Park, London (1983–1990, where on one occasion in the sacristy he was attacked by intruders and hit over the head with a crucifix but suffered no lasting injury), and at the Church of Our Lady and St. Joseph, Poplar, London
(1990–1994). Thereafter he took up residence in Clergy House at Westminster Cathedral, regularly hearing Confession
at the Cathedral and helping with occasional exhibitions. In 2003 he moved to Nazareth House, where on request he continued to provide spiritual guidance to his visitors on an individual basis.
at Allen Hall, St Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire from 1936–1949, for the Newman Association from 1950–1954, and at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham
from 1968-1972. He then spent three years in Kenya as Lecturer in Old Testament
Studies at the University of Nairobi
from 1972-1975. While there he availed himself of the opportunity to indulge some of his recreational interests and with members of the university staff went mountain climbing and visited Mount Kenya
and the Ngorongoro Crater, and admired the wild-life in Serengeti
/Tanzania and the Victoria Falls
in Zimbabwe.
Fr Bernard Orchard
invited Fr Fuller onto the Editorial Committee of the first one-volume Bible commentary for English-speaking Catholics, entitled A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (CCHS, 1953 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=99240475); and the Diocese entrusted Fuller in 1951 with the office of Censor Deputatus for the Nihil Obstat in its regard (cf. CCHS, p. iv). When subsequent developments – among them Vatican II and the discovery of the manuscripts in the caves at Qumran
– required an updating of the commentary, he was General Editor of its second edition, entitled A New Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (1969).
He was, moreover, Co-Editor of the first complete Bible translation in modern English for Catholics from the Hebrew and Greek, entitled The Holy Bible – Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
(1966), and its ecumenical counterpart, The Common Bible (1973). He was a member of the Revised Standard Version Bible Committee from 1969–1980 and of the Joint Committee on the Revised English Bible from 1979-1989. From 1946-1953 he was the Editor of the quarterly journal, Scripture.
and book reviews that Fuller contributed to specialist journals, e.g. Scripture Bulletin, Priests and People, The Tablet
, he wrote articles on the Deuterocanonical Books
for A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (1953), A New Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (1966) and International Catholic Bible Commentary (1996), and the articles Alexander Geddes
, 1737-1802 and Mythology and Biblical Studies to 1800 for Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation (1999).
His Ph.D thesis was published in 1984 under the title Alexander Geddes
: A Pioneer of Biblical Criticism, 1737-1802.
He outlined the history of the Church and Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory, better known as "Warwick Street Church", where he had been a Rector from 1950–1963, in a small illustrated book entitled 'Steadfast in Loyalty - Warwick Street Church - A Short History and Guide' (1956, 1973).
His friendship with Leonard Cheshire
led to his editing a slender volume providing an insight into Cheshire's spiritual resources during his struggle with the effects of motor neurone disease
, entitled Crossing the Finishing Line – Last Thoughts of Leonard Cheshire VC (1998, ISBN 0-85439-527-X, see pp. 7–14, 80).
was ordained as a priest in 1931 by Cardinal Bourne, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster
Archbishop of Westminster
The Archbishop of Westminster heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster, in England. The incumbent is the Metropolitan of the Province of Westminster and, as a matter of custom, is elected President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and therefore de facto spokesman...
, and appointed Canon (hon.) of Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster...
by Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor in 2001. He celebrated his 100th birthday in 2008.
Born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, he contributed significantly to the advancement of Roman Catholic life and ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
in England during the 20th century, notably through co-founding the Catholic Biblical Association of Great Britain, his collaboration as an Editorial Committee member of the first one-volume Bible commentary for English-speaking Catholics and his General Editorship of its second edition, and his work as a member of the Revised Standard Version Bible Committee and as Co-Editor of the first complete Bible translation in modern English for Catholics from the Hebrew and the Greek, as well as of its ecumenical edition. His specialist subjects were the Deuterocanonical Books
Deuterocanonical books
Deuterocanonical books is a term used since the sixteenth century in the Catholic Church and Eastern Christianity to describe certain books and passages of the Christian Old Testament that are not part of the Hebrew Bible. The term is used in contrast to the protocanonical books, which are...
, on which he contributed articles to three major Biblical Commentaries (see "Publications" below), and the life and works of Alexander Geddes
Alexander Geddes
Alexander Geddes was a Scottish theologian and scholar.He was born at Ruthven, Banffshire, of Roman Catholic parentage, and educated for the priesthood at the local seminary of Scalan, and at Paris; he became a priest in his native county.His translation of the Satires of Horace made him known as...
, a pioneer of biblical criticism, on which he wrote his doctoral thesis (see "Publications" below).
Education
Initially Fuller's parents, the physician and medical author Arthur William Fuller and Florence Margaret Fuller (née Montgomery), of St John's WoodSt John's Wood
St John's Wood is a district of north-west London, England, in the City of Westminster, and at the north-west end of Regent's Park. It is approximately 2.5 miles north-west of Charing Cross. Once part of the Great Middlesex Forest, it was later owned by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem...
, London, sent their son to Ealing Priory School (the subsequently renamed St Benedict's School
St Benedict's School
St Benedict's School is a co-educational independent Roman Catholic school situated in Ealing, West London. The school is part of Ealing Abbey and is governed by the Abbot and monks of Ealing. As the only day school of the English Houses of the English Benedictine Congregation, the school does not...
) where he happened to share classes and hone his Latin skills in contest with the 20 months younger, the later New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
scholar and his colleague on a number of major scholarly projects, John Bernard Orchard
Bernard Orchard
Dom Bernard Orchard OSB MA was an English Roman Catholic Benedictine monk, headmaster and biblical scholar.-Early life and education:John Archibald Henslowe Orchard, the son of a farmer, was born in Bromley, Kent...
. Recognizing his academic potential, they then decided to move their son to Cardinal Vaughan School, before sending him for the final years of his schooling to Ampleforth College
Ampleforth College
Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, England, is the largest Roman Catholic co-educational boarding independent school in the United Kingdom. It opened in 1802, as a boys' school, and is run by the Benedictine monks and lay staff of Ampleforth Abbey...
.
Seminary and academic studies
Fuller attended seminary studies at Allen Hall, St Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire from 1926–1931 and was ordained priest by Cardinal Bourne at Westminster CathedralWestminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster...
in 1931. His academic studies at the Dominican University in Rome earned him a SThL in 1933 and a SThD in 1935, and at the Biblical Institute in Rome a SScriptLic in 1934. During 1964-1968 he took up biblical research at Cambridge University and earned a Ph.D.
Pastoral appointments
At various times during 1950-1994 Rev. Fuller held pastoral appointments in the Archdiocese of Westminster. He served as Rector of the Church and Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Gregory, Warwick Street, London W1 (1950–1963), as Chaplain at Westminster Cathedral (1976–1978), and as Rector of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, IslingtonIslington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
(1978–1983). After his retirement he served as Assistant Priest at the Church of St. Mellitus, Tollington Park, London (1983–1990, where on one occasion in the sacristy he was attacked by intruders and hit over the head with a crucifix but suffered no lasting injury), and at the Church of Our Lady and St. Joseph, Poplar, London
Poplar, London
Poplar is a historic, mainly residential area of the East End of London in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is about east of Charing Cross. Historically a hamlet in the parish of Stepney, Middlesex, in 1817 Poplar became a civil parish. In 1855 the Poplar District of the Metropolis was...
(1990–1994). Thereafter he took up residence in Clergy House at Westminster Cathedral, regularly hearing Confession
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
at the Cathedral and helping with occasional exhibitions. In 2003 he moved to Nazareth House, where on request he continued to provide spiritual guidance to his visitors on an individual basis.
Teaching appointments
Fuller was Lecturer in Biblical StudiesBiblical studies
Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...
at Allen Hall, St Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire from 1936–1949, for the Newman Association from 1950–1954, and at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham
Twickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
from 1968-1972. He then spent three years in Kenya as Lecturer in Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
Studies at the University of Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
from 1972-1975. While there he availed himself of the opportunity to indulge some of his recreational interests and with members of the university staff went mountain climbing and visited Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian , Nelion and Point Lenana . Mount Kenya is located in central Kenya, just south of the equator, around north-northeast of the capital Nairobi...
and the Ngorongoro Crater, and admired the wild-life in Serengeti
Serengeti
The Serengeti ecosystem is a geographical region in Africa. It is located in north Tanzania and extends to south-western Kenya between latitudes 1 and 3 S and longitudes 34 and 36 E. It spans some ....
/Tanzania and the Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya is a waterfall located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.-Introduction:...
in Zimbabwe.
Other professional activities
From 1949-1990 Fuller was a member of the Society of Old Testament Studies (SOTS). Among his involvement in major professional projects was the co-founding of the Catholic Biblical Association of Great Britain (CBA), of which he then was Hon. Secretary from 1940–1965 and Chairman from 1968-1982. As representative of the CBA he acted in 1963 as Promoter of the English spelling of Biblical names for Catholic use to the Conference of the Bishops of England and Wales (e.g. Noah, Elijah, Joshua, in place of Noe, Elias, Josue as in the Douay-Challoner Bible, based on the Latin text).Fr Bernard Orchard
Bernard Orchard
Dom Bernard Orchard OSB MA was an English Roman Catholic Benedictine monk, headmaster and biblical scholar.-Early life and education:John Archibald Henslowe Orchard, the son of a farmer, was born in Bromley, Kent...
invited Fr Fuller onto the Editorial Committee of the first one-volume Bible commentary for English-speaking Catholics, entitled A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (CCHS, 1953 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=99240475); and the Diocese entrusted Fuller in 1951 with the office of Censor Deputatus for the Nihil Obstat in its regard (cf. CCHS, p. iv). When subsequent developments – among them Vatican II and the discovery of the manuscripts in the caves at Qumran
Qumran
Qumran is an archaeological site in the West Bank. It is located on a dry plateau about a mile inland from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, near the Israeli settlement and kibbutz of Kalia...
– required an updating of the commentary, he was General Editor of its second edition, entitled A New Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (1969).
He was, moreover, Co-Editor of the first complete Bible translation in modern English for Catholics from the Hebrew and Greek, entitled The Holy Bible – Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
The Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition is an adaptation of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible for use by Catholics...
(1966), and its ecumenical counterpart, The Common Bible (1973). He was a member of the Revised Standard Version Bible Committee from 1969–1980 and of the Joint Committee on the Revised English Bible from 1979-1989. From 1946-1953 he was the Editor of the quarterly journal, Scripture.
Publications
In addition to many articlesand book reviews that Fuller contributed to specialist journals, e.g. Scripture Bulletin, Priests and People, The Tablet
The Tablet
The Tablet is a Catholic international weekly review published in London. Contributors to its pages have included Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Paul VI ....
, he wrote articles on the Deuterocanonical Books
Deuterocanonical books
Deuterocanonical books is a term used since the sixteenth century in the Catholic Church and Eastern Christianity to describe certain books and passages of the Christian Old Testament that are not part of the Hebrew Bible. The term is used in contrast to the protocanonical books, which are...
for A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (1953), A New Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (1966) and International Catholic Bible Commentary (1996), and the articles Alexander Geddes
Alexander Geddes
Alexander Geddes was a Scottish theologian and scholar.He was born at Ruthven, Banffshire, of Roman Catholic parentage, and educated for the priesthood at the local seminary of Scalan, and at Paris; he became a priest in his native county.His translation of the Satires of Horace made him known as...
, 1737-1802 and Mythology and Biblical Studies to 1800 for Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation (1999).
His Ph.D thesis was published in 1984 under the title Alexander Geddes
Alexander Geddes
Alexander Geddes was a Scottish theologian and scholar.He was born at Ruthven, Banffshire, of Roman Catholic parentage, and educated for the priesthood at the local seminary of Scalan, and at Paris; he became a priest in his native county.His translation of the Satires of Horace made him known as...
: A Pioneer of Biblical Criticism, 1737-1802.
He outlined the history of the Church and Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory, better known as "Warwick Street Church", where he had been a Rector from 1950–1963, in a small illustrated book entitled 'Steadfast in Loyalty - Warwick Street Church - A Short History and Guide' (1956, 1973).
His friendship with Leonard Cheshire
Leonard Cheshire
Group Captain Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, Baron Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO and Two Bars, DFC was a highly decorated British RAF pilot during the Second World War....
led to his editing a slender volume providing an insight into Cheshire's spiritual resources during his struggle with the effects of motor neurone disease
Motor neurone disease
The motor neurone diseases are a group of neurological disorders that selectively affect motor neurones, the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, breathing, swallowing and general movement of the body. They are generally progressive in nature, and can cause...
, entitled Crossing the Finishing Line – Last Thoughts of Leonard Cheshire VC (1998, ISBN 0-85439-527-X, see pp. 7–14, 80).