St John Henry Newman, the Catholic theologian canonised in 2019, is to be given the title, Doctor of the Church

In its daily bulletin this morning, the Vatican said, “On 31 July 2025, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience His Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

“During the same audience, the Holy Father confirmed the affirmative opinion of the Plenary Session of Cardinals and Bishops, Members of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, regarding the title of Doctor of the Universal Church which will soon be conferred on Saint John Henry Newman, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Founder of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in England; born in London (United Kingdom) on 21 February 1801 and died in Edgbaston (United Kingdom) on 11 August 1890.”

The former Anglican priest who was hugely influential in both the Church of England and the Catholic Church in the 19th century was created a cardinal in 1879 by the previous Pope Leo, Leo XIII. His many writings, still read widely today, made him the equivalent of modern-day influencer or celebrity in his own era and included Tracts for the Times, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, The Dream of Gerontius set to music by Elgar and the much-loved hymn Lead, Kindly Light.

The title Doctor of the Church is given by the Catholic Church to saints considered to have made important contributions through their researches, writings and studies. It is extremely rare and prestigious – there are just 37 other Doctors of the Church.

Vatican News today reports Newman’s devotion to St Philip Neri.

On the trail of St John Henry Newman

View from Rome

Newman: A mind alive

“Newman was deeply drawn to the figure of St. Philip Neri – another soul, like himself, ‘adopted’ by Rome. When Blessed Pope Pius IX encouraged him to return to England, Newman went on to found an Oratory there, dedicated to the saint with whom he shared a joyful disposition. That good humour remained intact even through the many challenges he faced in establishing Catholic institutions in his homeland, many of which seemed at first to falter. Still, his mind continued to produce brilliant writings in defence and support of Catholicism – even under fierce attack.”

Bringing Neri’s Oratory over from Rome, Newman set up the Birmingham Oratory and also supported the foundation of the London Oratory. His influence on Catholic education continued with his seminal book, The Idea of a University.

Newman was canonised in 2019 by Pope Francis who in the encyclical Dilexit nos, explained that Newman chose as his motto the phrase Cor ad cor loquitur – “Heart speaks to heart” – because he realised that his deepest encounters came from prayerful dialogue, heart to heart, with Christ in the Eucharist.

Archbishop of Birmingham Bernard Longley, said: “Together with the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory, I am immensely grateful to Pope Leo for declaring St John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church. Cardinal Newman is only the third Englishman to be afforded this title, after St Bede the Venerable and St Anselm of Canterbury, for the historic and abiding impact of his teaching on the universal Church.

“It is remarkable that his writings, first as an Anglican and then as a Roman Catholic, but considered as one entire corpus of written work, have led to him being declared a Doctor of the Church.”

September 2025 marks the 15th anniversary of St John Henry Newman’s Beatification in Cofton Park, Birmingham in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. The theme for the historic Papal visit was inspired by the words Newman chose as his motto, Cor ad cor loquitur. Archbishop Longley welcomed Pope Benedict at the Beatification Mass, and explains the importance of his motto: “His motto Cor ad cor loquitur – Heart speaks to heart – is a key to understanding the influence of St John Henry’s teaching, communicated to us at the deepest level of our being.

“I pray that this day will hasten the canonisation of Blessed Dominic Barberi, who must be rejoicing that he was chosen to play his part in bringing Cardinal Newman into full communion with the Catholic Church.”

Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan said that he was “overjoyed ” at the news. In Rome this week along with a group of Irish bishops, clergy and 600 young adult pilgrims from across the island, as part of the Jubilee global gathering of one million people to celebrate the 2025 Year of Hope, he said, “Saint John Henry Newman was steeped in the Scriptures and the writings of the early Church Fathers.  Apart from his saintly qualities he became famous for his theological work on the development of doctrine, the importance of conscience, the purpose of education, the role of the laity and an analysis of faith and reason.

“Many regard him as the father the ideas of Vatican II and the Synodal process.  He was certainly way ahead of his time.  His devotional work, prayers, hymns and profound poetry helped to bring many people closer in their relationship with God.”

In 2019 Bishop Monahan published A Perfect Peace, Newman, Saint for Our Time, which has since had a second print run.

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