In past years we’ve called them the “Top 100” but this implies there is a hierarchy of Catholic movers and shakers. We never pretended that is the case but we’ve dropped “Top” to avoid misunderstanding.
So what is The Tablet 100? Well, the list is a snapshot of Catholics who are influential in Britain today in a variety of ways: they may be in positions of power, they may possess unique gifts, they may have vision, energy and zeal to found charities or fund them or run them. The very best are guided by what they have learned from Catholicism about how we should treat one another, and I suppose that is the point. By living their faith these individuals are trying to make life better for all of us.
But let’s not get too serious. The Tablet 100 is meant to get everybody talking and it’s also a bit of fun. Week after week on Match of the Day, we’ve been watching Gabriel Jesus, the Brazilian striker of Manchester City play sublime football. He’s not the only Catholic footballer in the Premier League but he is one of the best, and his name is Jesus! He’s in at number 52.
What else can we glean from the list?
Most striking is the part that education is playing in the progress of Catholics in public life. Some on our list went to Catholic public schools but a lot more attended excellent state schools, some in the most deprived areas of the land. At its best, Catholic education is broad and academically rigorous. It provides a moral framework that stays with pupils for life.
The lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald Q.C. (number 50) attributes his passion to justice to his education at Downside. Economist Colette Bowe (number 17), says the tough, resourceful nuns at her convent school were great role models. Ruth Hunt of Stonewall (number 10), credits two teachers at Catholic schools for showing her acceptance and understanding as a lesbian and for strengthening her faith.
And can it be a coincidence that the editors of The Sun, Tony Gallagher (number 6), The Sunday Times, Martin Ivens (number 93) and Labour spin doctor, Damian McBride (number 74), all went to the same school, Finchley Catholic High in north London?
Another point to note is that so many of The Tablet 100 come from big families that I’m wondering whether that could be a factor in their success. All that jostling, fighting and arguing with siblings, not to mention the level of co-operation needed, may have given them the edge.
The Catholic Church has been hopeless at making use of women’s gifts, but in the secular world Catholic women are breaking glass ceilings. Check out the entries for Ruth Hunt (10), Frances O’Grady (number 8), Baroness Scotland Q.C. (number 14), Louise Richardson (number 18), and Dame Elish Angiolini (32).
A tricky area has been defining “Catholic” for the purposes of the list. There are plenty of cradle Catholics who have been formed by their faith but who no longer practise. Some of these may identify as Catholic and may even be open to returning.
We decided that, if in doubt, we should approach them to see whether they would be happy to be on the list. Some said yes and some said no. All were glad to be asked.
The Scottish historian, Sir Tom Devine, wrote recently that the cultural and social identity of Irish-Catholics endures even when faith itself fades away. Cultural Catholicism is equally tenacious, I am sure, for Poles, Italians, Spaniards, Nigerians and other nationalities represented in The Tablet 100.
Readers will disagree over our choices. Some will rail, others will applaud. Bring it on, I say. We’d love to hear what you think…
Watch Tablet editor Brendan Walsh discuss The Tablet 100 with news reporter Rose Gamble
Elena Curti is a former Deputy Editor of The Tablet. She was part of the team that selected The Tablet 100. Let us know what you think on Facebook. Find us on Twitter.
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