Tractarians

The Tractarians, also known as the Oxford Movement, were a group of 19th-century Anglican thinkers and clergy based at Oxford University. They aimed to revive traditional Catholic beliefs, practices, and liturgy within the Church of England, emphasizing its historical continuity and spiritual authority. Their movement, expressed through writings and publications called "Tracts," sought to reintroduce elements like sacraments and church authority that they believed had diminished over time. Although they sought church renewal, their ideas sparked controversy, influencing Anglican theology and sparking debates about church identity and the relationship with the Roman Catholic Church.