Lockhart, William

LOCKHART, WILLIAM. - Rosminian, b. at Varingham (Surrey) on 22 Aug. 1820, d. in London on 15 May 1892. At first a convinced Protestant, he felt his faith shaken by the reading of Catholic books of religious controversy and by the persuasive words of the Rosminian Father Gentili.

He made his abjuration and entered the Rosminians in 1843; he completed his studies and, ordained a priest in 1846, devoted himself to the ministry of preaching and missions. On his return from a journey to Rome he visited Rosmini, whose translation of certain works he oversaw; in London he bought and restored the ancient abbey of St. Etheldreda, returning its church (of the 13th century) to worship and founding there a residence of his Order.

He was the first of the "Tractarians" to convert to Catholicism, and his return to the Catholic faith made a deep impression on his friend Newman, who shortly afterward followed his example.

He wrote many pamphlets of a popular nature; he founded and directed the Catholic Opinion, until it merged with the Tablet; mention should also be made of: The Communion of the Saints (London 1868), The old Religion, or how shall we find primitive Christianity (ibid. 1868), Life of A. Rosmini, 2 vols. (ibid. 1886; the first had already been published by G. S. Mc Walter [ibid. 1883]).