Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Williams Wilde, more commonly known as Oscar Wilde, was an Irish poet. He was born in Westland Row, Dublin, Ireland. His poetry made people wonder about his religion, as some of his writings were dark. Was he a Pentecost believer? A Catholic? Or was he perhaps a satanist?
Oscar Wilde was a member of the Catholic church before his death.
However, the Irish poet wasn’t always Catholic. So, here’s a brief look at Oscar Wilde’s religion and beliefs.
Were Oscar Wilde’s parents Catholic?
Oscar Wilde was born on October 16, 1954, to Sir Williams Wilde and Jane Wilde, both Anglo-Irish intellectuals from Dublin. His mother wasn’t necessarily Catholic herself but was popular amongst the Catholic community in 19th century Ireland.
On the other hand, Sir Williams Wilde was neither Catholic nor Protestant. In fact, he was against the beliefs of the Catholic church. Like his wife, he was also a Revolutionary and teamed up with her to write academic articles for magazines.
Oscar Wilde’s parents were Anglicans and even christened the poet in an Anglican church after his birth.
Was Oscar Wilde a staunch Catholic?
Oscar Wilde was not a Catholic but believed in Jesus Christ and Christianity. However, he was not a staunch believer as he was inconsistent with the faith.
Did Oscar Wilde attend a Catholic school?
During the Irish poet’s teenage years, he attended Magdalene College in Oxford. Oscar Wilde joined the Catholic Club and the Free Masons for extracurricular activities. This decision tore him between the Catholic religion and his love for art.
Oscar Wilde’s art included dandy dressing and literature.
He attended morning and evening mass because the Catholic ritual enthralled him. However, he didn’t feel like he fit in. He said, “The Catholic Church is for saints and sinners alone — for respectable people, the Anglican Church will do.” So, Oscar Wilde decided to remain in the Anglican church while in college.
Did Oscar Wilde’s work reflect his interest in Catholicism?
Oscar Wilde became famous after releasing some literary works, such as the short story “The Canterville’s Ghost.” However, he also became notorious for exploring dark and disturbing points of view. For example, his philosophical novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” raised questions after its release in 1891 because of its somewhat controversial theme, with many describing it as “perverse” and “immoral.”
With the novel frightening readers, many wondered if it had anything to do with religion. On the contrary, according to Oscar Wilde, the book was a search for spiritual enlightenment and a discussion of his sins.
The moral of the story, though, was based on Catholicism. So, although most of Oscar Wilde’s works weren’t inspired by his love for the Catholic religion, his most famous book, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” was inspired by the Catholic faith.
Was Oscar Wilde Anglican?
Oscar Wilde was born into an Anglican church and spent his childhood around the Anglican faith. However, he wasn’t fully committed to it because he spent more time in his literary pursuit as he got older.
Was Oscar Wilde a Protestant?
Oscar Wilde grew up in the Anglican church, a branch of the Protestant Reformation. Hypothetically, he was also a protestant but not actively practicing the religion.
Oscar Wilde wasn’t always a religious man and only proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christ.
When was Oscar Wilde Fully Converted into the Catholic Church?
At the end of the 19th century, some English writers embraced and converted to Catholicism. These include poets John Gray, Lionel Johnson, and Ernest Dowson. Oscar Wilde followed in their footsteps, and on November 29, 1900, he was fully converted into the Catholic church.
Did Oscar Wilde die a Catholic?
On the night of November 29, 1900, Oscar Wilde lay in bed, sick and ready to give up the ghost. Father Cuthbert Dunne of the Passionists was by his side and asked him questions about conversion to Catholicism. The poet struggled to answer the questions but gesticulated and agreed to be accepted into the Catholic faith.
Before Wilde died, he received his last sacraments. He passed away on November 30, 1900, at the age of 46.
Was Oscar Wilde baptized?
Convicted of sodomy, Oscar Wilde left prison in 1867, sick. While on his deathbed in 1900, Father Cuthbert Dunne stayed by his bedside to preach Catholicism to him. When asked if he wanted to receive the faith, the poet raised his hand in acknowledgment.
He wasn’t baptized in water at that point because of his deteriorating health. However, when Oscar Wilde was a child, his mother, Jane Wilde, had him baptized at St. Ann’s church, a Catholic church.
Even if his Irish parents didn’t believe in the Catholic faith, Jane Wilde still felt it was necessary to baptize her kids into the church.