The Vatican has announced that Saint John Henry Newman, founder of The Oratory School, is to be declared a Doctor of the Church. The Vatican has not yet announced when the official ceremony will take place. Pope Leo XIII first made John Henry Newman a cardinal in 1879, so it is fitting that Pope Leo XIV made the announcement 150 years later.

The Archbishop of Birmingham noted that Newman is only the third Englishman to receive this title, following Saint Bede the Venerable and Saint Anselm of Canterbury. The declaration recognises the lasting impact of Newman's teachings on the universal Church, a body of work that spans both his Anglican and Roman Catholic periods. His motto, Cor ad cor loquitur (Heart speaks to heart), is seen as a key to understanding the profound influence of his teachings. The Oratory School looks forward to celebrating its founder and this new title when students return in September.

Our Head Master Matthew Fogg commented:

‘We were delighted to receive the news that Pope Leo has declared St John Henry Newman, the founder of The Oratory School, to be a Doctor of the Church. This title is rarely given as only 37 saints have previously been declared Doctor of the Church and is only granted to those who have made a significant contribution to the Church’s theology and doctrine through their study and writings. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to give thanks that we have such an illustrious founder to our school – truly one of the greatest minds ever to have lived.’

‘We look forward to celebrating our founder and this new title when we return to school in September. Cor ad cor loquitur!’