Doctor of the Church

SAINT-JOHN-HENRY-NEWMAN

Born in 1801, John Henry Newman was an English theologian, writer, poet, at first an Anglican priest then later a Catholic priest, and cardinal. On Sunday the 28th of September, Pope Leo XIV announced that Saint John Henry Newman would be proclaimed as a doctor of the Church, on the solemnity of All Saints (1st of November).

Newman’s conversion to Catholicism came from historical research that he found, making him suspect that the Roman Catholic Church had the closest resemblance to the Church that Jesus established.

St John Henry Newman’s elevation to doctor of the Church has come from his insights on the development of doctrine and the role of conscience. St John Henry Newman will become the 38th doctor of the church, joining saints such as St Jerome, St Augustine, St Thomas Aquinas, St John of the cross, and St Therese of Lisieux, just to name a few.

What is a doctor of the Church and how does a saint become one?

A doctor of the Church, as explained by catholicnewsagency.com is a “select group of saints recognized for their enduring contribution to Catholic theology and spirituality.”

The criteria for a saint to achieve this title includes:

  • Already been recognised and proclaimed as a saint
  • Possess a special charism or gift of wisdom, for the ability to understand and teach doctrine
  • Formally declared a doctor of the Church by an ecumenical council, or the Pope.

Some of Newman’s key writings include:

  • Apologia Pro Vita Sua
  • An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine
  • An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent
  • The Idea of a University

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