Birmingham Newman University is delighting in the news that St John Henry Newman, our Patron, will be the newest Doctor of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo made the official announcement – Conferral of the Title of Doctor of the Church – on Thursday 31 July, during an audience with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican.

The title of Doctor of the Church is given to Saints who have made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study or writing. We at Birmingham Newman University are particularly conscious of the ongoing impact of St John Henry Newman’s Idea of a University, not only on how we think and do things but on the wider higher education world.

The process for St John Henry Newman to be made a Doctor of the Church has taken several years. This September (2025) marks the 15th anniversary of his Beatification in Cofton Park, Birmingham in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. This October (2025) marks the sixth anniversary of his Canonisation in Rome by Pope Francis.

We join with all who rejoice in this news and look forward to marking this honour conferred on St John Henry Newman at future events here at Birmingham Newman University.

Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham and member of our University Council said: “Together with the Fathers of the Birmingham and Oxford Oratories, 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 also 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. 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.”