John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 – 11 August 1890) was a theologian and poet, first an Anglican priest and later a Catholic priest and cardinal, who was an important and controversial figure in the religious history of England in the 19th century.
Originally an Oxford University academic and priest in the Church of England, Newman then became drawn to the high-church tradition of Anglicanism. He became known as a leader of an influential movement of Anglicans who wished the Church of England to return to many Catholic beliefs and liturgical rituals before the English Reformation. In this, the movement had some success. In 1845 Newman, joined by some but not all of his followers, officially left the Church of England and his teaching post at Oxford University and was received into the Catholic Church. He was quickly ordained as a priest and continued as an influential religious leader, based in Birmingham. In 1879, he was created a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in recognition of his services to the cause of the Catholic Church in England. He was instrumental in the founding of the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854 (University College Dublin) although he had left Dublin by 1859.
Newman was also a literary figure of note: his major writings including the Tracts for the Times (1833–1841), his autobiography Apologia Pro Vita Sua (1865–1866), the Grammar of Assent (1870) and Essays on the Development of Doctrine. He wrote the popular hymns "Lead, Kindly Light" and "Praise to the Holiest in the Height".
Newman's was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 September 2010 during his visit to the United Kingdom. His canonisation was officially approved by Pope Francis on 12 February 2019 and on 1st July 2019, the Vatican announced that he will be canonised with four others by Pope Francis on 13 October 2019.
Here Bishop Robert Barron explores the life and significance of John Henry Newman who will declared a saint later this month.