The journal New Blackfriars suspended Herbert McCabe as editor in 1967 following his provocative editorial commentary regarding the departure of a high-profile theologian from the Catholic Church. This event underscored his combative approach to institutional discourse, positioning him as a distinct intellectual figure whose philosophical rigor remained constant throughout a career defined by both religious commitment and political socialism.
Academic Formation and Dominican Life
Born John Ignatius McCabe in Middlesbrough in 1926, he initially pursued chemistry studies at the University of Manchester. Under the academic influence of Dorothy Emmet, he transitioned to philosophy. During his formation, novice master Columba Ryan bestowed upon him the religious name Herbert, referencing the seventh-century hermit Herbert of Derwentwater. His theological development was primarily shaped by Victor White, who introduced him to the extensive corpus of Thomas Aquinas. Following his ordination in 1955, he served as a pastor in Newcastle and later as a chaplain at De La Salle College, where he instructed pupils including Terry Eagleton.
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McCabe assumed the editorship of New Blackfriars in 1965. His tenure was interrupted two years later when he argued that systemic corruption within the Church provided no logical grounds for abandoning the institution.
Philosophical Contributions and Legacy
His written output bridged academic theology and ethical inquiry. Major publications included The New Creation in 1964, Law, Love and Language in 1968, and the catechism The Teaching of the Catholic Church in 1986. His later collections, God Matters and God Still Matters, synthesized his pedagogical approach. His work cautioned against the idolatrous reduction of the Creator to a worldly object. A citizen of Ireland from 1974, McCabe died in Oxford on 28 June 2001 and was interred at Wolvercote Cemetery. His memorial service featured a Spanish revolutionary song.
Fast facts
- Born: 1926, Middlesbrough
- Died: 28 June 2001, Oxford
- Citizenship: Ireland
- Education: University of Manchester
- Religious Order: Dominican
- Ordained: 1955
- Notable Degree: STM (1989)
Questions readers ask
What was Herbert McCabe’s main philosophical focus?
He focused on the thought of Thomas Aquinas, the centrality of language in ethics, and cautioning against idolatry by misrepresenting the nature of God.
Why was he removed from his editor role?
He was removed in 1967 after writing an editorial that defended the Church against claims of corruption as a reason for resignation.
