The Archdiocese of Birmingham is rejoicing following the news St John Henry Newman will be declared a Doctor of the Church.

Pope Leo made the official announcement – Conferral of the Title of Doctor of the Church - today, Thursday 31 July, during an audience with His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

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.

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 celebrate St John Henry Newman’s Feast Day on 9 October. The much-loved educationalist has significant links to the Archdiocese and has many followers.

In Littlemore, Oxfordshire, is ‘the college’ where St John Henry Newman lived from 1842 to 1846 and was received into the Catholic Church by Blessed Dominic Barberi.

Maryvale was Newman’s first home as a Catholic and he was confirmed in the Chapel at St Mary’s College, Oscott, and preached his famous Second Spring sermon there.

He was the founder of the Birmingham and Oxford Oratories, The Oratory School and The Oratory Preparatory School in South Oxfordshire.

John Henry Newman Catholic College, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham and Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Coventry are named after him; along with The Newman Catholic Collegiate (made up of nine schools in Stoke-on-Trent). 

The Archdiocese has a Parish of St John Henry Newman, made up of four churches; St Joseph, Darlaston; St Joseph, Wolverhampton; Holy Trinity, Bilston; St Mary, Willenhall. The Parish of Maryvale in Birmingham is also part of the Newman Cluster of Churches.

Birmingham Newman University has St John Henry Newman as its patron saint and Birmingham University Catholic Chaplaincy also has Newman as its patron.

Newman (1801-1890) was ordained as a Church of England priest and soon became the leader of the Oxford Movement but converted to Catholicism in 1845.

When he died at the age of 89, more than 15,000 people lined the streets of Birmingham for his funeral.

He is widely considered to be one of the most significant figures of the 19th century.

Fittingly, his new status has been announced during a Jubilee Year.

Archbishop Bernard Longley 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 second Englishman to be afforded this title, after St Bede the Venerable, 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.”  

Fr Ignatius Harrison, C.O. Co-Actor of the Newman Cause, said: "The Fathers and Brothers of the Birmingham Oratory give praise and thanks to God that the Holy Father Pope Leo has today confirmed that the title ‘Doctor of the Church’ will soon be bestowed on St John Henry Cardinal Newman, founder of the Oratory in England. Newman’s wisdom and spiritual vision will now be of even greater relevance to the universal Church and indeed to all people of good will who seek God’s truth."

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, said: “I am delighted and thrilled that Pope Leo has today announced that he will declare St John Henry Newman to be a ‘Doctor of the Church’.

“This request has been before the Holy See for some time, having received declarations of support from many different parts of the world and, of particular importance, from the Bishops of the Church of England.

“This recognition that the writings of St John Henry Newman are a true expression of the faith of the Church is of huge encouragement to all who appreciate not only his great learning but also his heroic sanctity in following the call of God in his journey of faith, which he described as ‘heart speaking unto heart’.

“This moment brings back vivid memories of the Papal Visit in 2010 of Pope Benedict XVI to these countries when he declared the beatification of John Henry Newman. That moment now reaches its fulfilment and gives great joy to all who strive to follow Christ today.”