A Momentous Celebration: Saint John Henry Newman Declared Doctor of the Church
We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that, as part of the Jubilee of Education, Pope Leo today (1 November 2025) proclaimed Saint John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church – one of the highest honours in Catholic tradition.
This prestigious title is reserved for Saints whose theological wisdom and life has profoundly shaped the Church’s teachings, placing Newman among an elite group of just 37 Doctors of the Church, alongside luminaries such as Bede the Venerable and St.Thomas Aquinas.
Commemorative Day of Celebration
To mark this momentous occasion, we are delighted to announce a special commemorative day of celebration will be taking place at Birmingham Newman University on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
This event, To Live is to Change: The Inclusive Vision of Saint John Henry Newman, will honour Newman’s life, his impact on education and our vision here at Birmingham Newman University and his newly bestowed title.
Birmingham Newman Chaplain, Margaret Holland, said: “We are delighted to have St John Henry Newman as our Patron and to carry his name here at Birmingham Newman University. His ideas, particularly those that from the idea of a University are key touchstones for all we do and continue to be reflected in our Vision, Mission and day to day life. His proclamation as Doctor of the Church is further inspiration to us and I hope to all in Higher Education that in all we do and in how we engage with students that we are to be mindful of the whole person.”
Born in London in 1801, Newman’s spiritual journey was marked by deep intellectual inquiry and unwavering faith. Elevated to cardinal in 1879, beatified in 2010 by Pope Benedict and canonized by Pope Francis in 2019, his legacy continues to inspire generations of believers and scholars alike.
This historic recognition follows enthusiastic support from 20 bishops’ conferences worldwide, including those from England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Australia. The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints praised Newman’s enduring influence on 20th-century theology and the Second Vatican Council, noting that his writings have inspired multiple popes and continue to illuminate the path of faith and reason.
Let us honour today and in the coming months this remarkable milestone and the life and teachings of Saint John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Church.
