Birmingham’s Newman University has appointed Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor as its first chancellor.
The former College of Higher Education, which became Newman University College in 2007 and gained full university status last year to become one of the first Catholic universities in England since the Reformation.
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, the Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster, will be inaugurated as chancellor on 20 March. As formal head of the university, he will take on a largely ceremonial role, carrying out ambassadorial and representative duties.
Studying for the priesthood, Murphy-O'Connor received a degree in theology from the Venerable English College in Rome, as well as a licentiate in philosophy and a licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Blessed Cardinal Newman, one of Victorian Britain’s most famous converts, co-founded the Birmingham Oratory and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
The university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Lutzeier, said: “As a university that is committed to providing students with a formative education, intellectual rigour and an awareness of how their actions and decisions impact and are shaped by the world around them, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor is a natural choice as our inaugural Chancellor and we’re delighted he has agreed to join us.”
Commenting on his appointment, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor said: “It is a great honour for me to be invited to become the first Chancellor of Newman University. In accepting, I am conscious of the admiration and devotion of so many people to the university Patron, Blessed John Henry Newman. I look forward to beginning my chancellorship in March this year.”
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