 By this time , Etty was becoming conflicted religiously . Although he had been raised as a Methodist , following Catholic emancipation in 1829 Etty became increasingly drawn to Roman Catholicism . Although he considered himself " in [ my ] heart 's core deeply and sincerely of the Ancient Faith " , he refused formally to convert to Catholicism owing to concerns that it would upset his family and friends , worries that he would be denied access to Anglican buildings such as York Minster , and a distaste for the concept of auricular ( spoken ) confession . He remained closely associated with Catholicism throughout his later life , and was one of the few non @-@ Catholics to attend the 1838 opening of Augustus Pugin 's chapel for St Mary 's College , Oscott , at the time the most important Roman Catholic building in England . 
