ST. THOMAS MORE

Location on Queens Campus:  Inside St. Thomas More Church, right hand side.

 

About the statue: The statue bronze statue of St. Thomas More sculpted by artist David Wanner, stands in the church dedicated to the saint on the Queens campus.  The statue was commissioned for the church, which was a gift from John and Anita Brennan.  John, a double alum of St. John’s University and lawyer, has a special dedication to St. Thomas More, who is the patron saint of lawyers.

 

Symbolism:  St. Thomas More was a lawyer, scholar, writer and politician in the reign of King Henry VIII in England.  It was his beliefs and staunch Catholicism that would also ultimately make him a martyr.  Thomas held the position of “Lord Chancellor” in England, the highest legal office.  When King Henry wanted to annul his marriage to his wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon to wed Anne Boleyn the Pope denied his request.  King Henry was adamant to marry Anne as the line of succession was in jeopardy since Queen Katherine had borne him no sons.  Henry created his own church and called it “The Church of England” he then appointed himself the head of the church and divorced Katherine.  When all the Kings subjects were asked to swear an oath renouncing Catholicism and proclaiming Henry the head of the church, Thomas refused.   He was beheaded on July 6, 1535.

St. Thomas More is a perfect example of social justice and the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. He was condemned to death for refusing to change his faith.  A part of social justice is to have the right to practice the faith of your choosing. St. Thomas More never wavered in his beliefs even when he knew it would cost him his life.