UCD marks declaration of St John Henry Newman as Doctor of the Church

On November 1, Pope Leo XIV declared St John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church.

This title is given by the Church to saints who are recognised as having made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study, or writing.

Cardinal Newman, who died in 1890, had been the first Rector of the Catholic University of Ireland, the antecedent institution of University College Dublin.

Fr Gareth Byrne, Moderator of the Diocesan Curia, and Orla Feely, President of UCD

At an event marking Pope Leo’s declaration, as well as the opening of the university 171 years ago on November 3, 1854, UCD President Orla Feely said: ‘With Pope Leo XIV having conferred the title of Doctor of the Church on St John Henry Newman, we are particularly proud of his role in education and his many writings, including The Idea of a University, which resonates strongly today.’

On display at the evening in UCD were four items on loan from the Dublin Diocesan Archives. These letters from the then Father Newman to Archbishop (later Cardinal) Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, relate to the setting up of the university.

One of the letters from Cardinal Newman to Archbishop Cullen, in which he says he feels honoured by being asked by Cullen for his views on a Catholic university for Ireland. The leading men and authorities in the University would necessarily be priests, but is not sure the professors of Classics, History and Maths need be so. He is flattered by Cullen’s invitation to visit Ireland. There is nothing at all which he feels more interest in than the subject of Irish education, he says. Signed John H. Newman, Cong. Orat.

UCD chaplain Fr Brendan Ludlow (pictured above) spoke at the evening at UCD, which was also attended by Fr Gareth Byrne, Moderator of the Diocesan Curia.

Representing UCD in the Vatican for the Papal proclamation on November 1 were UCD Registrar and Deputy President Professor Colin Scott and UCD Dean of Law Professor Imelda Maher. Eight students from the UCD Newman Society, including a representative of the UCD Literary & Historical Society – founded in 1855 by St John Henry Newman – were afforded the opportunity to meet with the Pope as part of the visit thanks to the efforts of Fr Ludlow, who also concelebrated the Mass.

Archbishop Farrell’s statement on the declaration of St John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church can be found here