How is St. Thomas More a portrait of courage, particularly for politicians?
Wegemer: St. Thomas More, made patron of statesmen and politicians by Pope John Paul II in 2000, held the highest office of England under King Henry VIII, but gave up that office and eventually his life to defend fundamental principles of justice. Although More ingeniously sought to avoid imprisonment and death — after all, he had a growing family to care for and a deep love of life — his love of truth and conscience eventually led to martyrdom. More is a “portrait” of courage, instead of a mere sketch, because he lived courage in every aspect of his life: in the diligent attention to his family members and their education, in the diligent study of the issues in his professional and political work, in the diligent care for his neighbors and friends, especially God, the first of his friends, etc. Courage for More was constant and he gave cheerful attention to duty in whatever forms that duty took. Cheerfulness and good humor are the qualities for which More is most famous, even in his
