In today’s world where the formalities of titles are used less and less, nonetheless the detail behind them can be instructive and interesting. In the medical sphere I’m often intrigued by the fact that a surgeon of note who once had the title of doctor at a certain point of promotion reverts to being a mere ‘mister’ again. Similarly in religious terms a person of outstanding quality can go from being a doctor to be a saint and back to being a doctor again if they really excel.
On the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, July 31st, I was delighted that Pope Leo announced that the title of Doctor of the Universal Church is conferred on St John Henry Newman. Newman (1801 – 1890) was an English theologian, academic, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet. He was originally an Anglican priest and after his conversion to Catholicism became a priest and then a cardinal in his latter years. He was canonised as a saint in 2019.
Newman was steeped in the scriptures and the writings of the early Church Fathers. Apart from his saintly qualities he became famous for his theological work on the development of doctrine, the primacy of conscience, the purpose of education, the role of the laity and the analysis of faith and reason. Because of his journey of conversion, he’s often regarded as an important inspiration in the field of ecumenical dialogue.
Many regard him as the father the ideas of Vatican II and the synodal process that the universal Church has been engaged with in recent years. He was certainly way ahead of his time. His devotional work, prayers, hymns and profound poetry helped to bring many people closer in their relationship with God.
In 2019 I had the pleasure of publishing and launching in St. Flannan’s College a short work in his life and writings, A Perfect Peace, Newman, Saint for Our Time. In Westbourne house where I live, alongside the Mgr. Ignatius Murphy room, the renowned historian of the Killaloe Diocese there is a room dedicated to St. John Henry Newman. The shelves are well stocked with hundreds of copies of his original work and many biographies and commentaries on his work. A photo of the room is included in this article. Gathering these many interesting volumes has been a labour of love for almost forty years.
Doctor of the Church is a title given by the Catholic Church to saints recognized as having made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study, or writing.
As of 2025, the Catholic Church has named 38 Doctors of the Church. Among the 37 recognised Doctors, 28 are from the West and nine from the East; four are women and thirty-three are men, twenty seven are from Europe, three are from Africa, and seven are from Asia.
Newman had strong association with Ireland. In 1851 he came to Ireland at the invitation of Paul Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, to serve as rector in the fledging Catholic University in the city, the precursor to University College Dublin. Newman commissioned architect John Hungerford Pollen to design the beautiful University Church, beside 86 Saint Stephen’s Green, which was opened in 1856. The set of lectures he delivered in the process of setting up the Catholic University were compiled into a book called The Idea of a University, a work that has become a classic of literature and in educational thought.
There is also a Killaloe Diocesan link to Newman. The much celebrated Eugene O’Curry of west Clare fame was appointed professor of Irish history and archaeology at the new Catholic University in 1851. He was a from Doonaha, near Carrigaholt. O’Curry was previously elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy in 1851.
Another interesting Killaloe link is that of Rev. Michael Flannery, of Killaloe diocese. There is reference in the Killaloe diocesan archives to Michael Flannery visiting Newman in the Oratory in Birmingham in 1849. In 1854 Archbishop Cullen appointed Flannery dean of the Catholic University. Upon Flannery’s consecration as bishop of Killaloe in 1861 he was presented with a crozier, which is now on loan from the Diocese of Killaloe to Clare Museum in Ennis where it is on public display. The origin of the crozier is identified by an inscription on a 25 mm wide band of gold on the wooden staff, which reads: Presented to The Right Revd Doctor Flannery, Lord Bishop of Killaloe by The Rectors & Professors of The Catholic University of Ireland, 1861.
Professor, Anglican clergyman, convert to Catholicism, priest of the Catholic Church, Cardinal, Saint and now doctor of the Universal Church. Being as rare as hen’s teeth in the larger scale of things, I never thought in my lifetime that I would see an individual that I have such an interest in declared a doctor of the universal Church.
Moladh go deo le Dia!
✠ Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe
Clare Champion Article 29th of August 2025