Posted on 07/31/2025 7:58:31 AM PDT by Hieronymus
His Predecessor of the same name, Leo XIII, created John Henry Newman Cardinal. Today, Leo XIV proclaimed him Doctor of the Church.
From the Bollettino (in Italian).
On July 31, 2025, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation 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 Congregation 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 February 21, 1801, and died in Edgbaston (United Kingdom) on August 11, 1890.
Cardinal Newman's lifelong struggle was against liberalism in religion. He made that very clear in his famous Biglietto speech, upon the acceptance of the cardinalatial title:
(Excerpt) Read more at rorate-caeli.blogspot.com ...
Arguably the best (Catholic) theologian to have English as a mother tongue, but historically that is like being the best hockey player from India.
From an American standpoint, Newman is a giant. From a 23rd century non-English speaking standpoint, he may up ranking with Anthony of Padua (who can at least find things), Peter Chrysologus, and Hildegard of Bingham.
When there are fewer than 20 Doctors, the title means a good deal more than when there are more than three dozen.
Can’t figure out this pope, but this is a step in the right direction.
I’d rather see DeMontfort elevated, but if JPII didn’t do it, it won’t happen any time soon (when he announced that he would create one, the smart money was divided between DeMontfort and Therese)
Besides DeMontfort, I can’t think of anyone presently canonized better than Newman.
Personally I’d like to see the number of Doctors of the Church and of Cardinals cut in half, but neither will happen.
When the category of Doctors was introduced, there were 9. The title used to mean something. But when one averages close to one a week, the title doesn’t mean as much.
It is the Plenary Session of Cardinals and Bishops that is puzzling me.
The majority of Cardinals that make up this committee were appointed by Pope Francis and I assume this is also true of the Bishops.
The Plenary Session of Cardinals and Bishops had to vote in the affirmative to make a well know Conservative Cardinal a Doctor of the Church.
This vote is essentially endorsing his opinions/his writings on doctrine, theology and morality.
Future seminarians and Catholic theologians will study his work as authoritative.
I would have loved to be the proverbial fly on the wall during their deliberatioins.
While it will give some additional oomf to Newman, unless he is noted for a specific area (his Development of Doctrine could be singled out), it won’t really have too much effect.
Seminary isn’t long enough to allow for a thorough study of either Augustine or Thomas, and I believe that they may not be the most prolific of the Doctors (I think that title may go to St. Alphonsus).
The discussion among the Bishops and Cardinals will be pro forma. It’s Rome.
For ten years I worked for TAN Books. One of our better sellers had been “The 30 Doctors of the Church” Every time we get a new one, the title and cover have to be redone, and a chapter added. On the other hand, it also led to a bump in sales for the new edition, even after old stock likely sold at a steep discount.
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Cardinal Newman's lifelong struggle was against liberalism in religion. He made that very clear in his famous Biglietto speech, upon the acceptance of the cardinalatial title:
Another area he could be noted for is his understanding of the infallibility of the Church.
Newman is one of the great teachers of Christianity. This is good news.
Well, the best hockey player was from India.
Field hockey, that is
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