St Thomas More

Dr Mercer (third from left) with Headmaster Mr Johnson and some of the students who attended the talk

Dr Giles Mercer, Stonyhurst’s first lay headmaster who left the College in 1996, gave a talk about St Thomas More this week, which was attended by a large audience of pupils and staff. In his talk, he addressed two questions: why Thomas More was executed and why he was canonised.

Dr Mercer painted a vivid portrait of the saint, encompassing the many facets of More’s life as 16th century scholar, brilliant lawyer, Chancellor, writer, wit and man of integrity; a devoted family man, head of the household and advocate of women’s education. Dr Mercer concluded that St Thomas More offers inspiration “to all who seek the mind of Christ and strive to follow it in all things”.