Lecture—"St. John Henry Newman, Universal Doctor of the Church: Why Newman Matters for Everyone"

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Location: Auditorium, Hesburgh Center for International Studies (View on map )

St. John Henry Newman in cardinalatial vesture painted by Sir John Everett Millais

Jennifer Newsome Martin, the John J. Cavanaugh Associate Professor of the Humanities and director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, was a member of the committee of scholars that petitioned the Vatican to raise St. John Henry Newman to the rank of Doctor of the Church. In October 2025, Pope Leo XIV elevated St. John Henry Newman to the honor, recognizing his personal sanctity and influential contribution to Catholic theology and doctrine. In this presentation, Professor Martin will speak about Newman’s eminent teaching, particularly with respect to the development of doctrine, conscience, the operation of human reason, the nature of tradition, liberal education, and the role of the laity in the Church.

Part of Alumni Reunion 2026.

Originally published at ethicscenter.nd.edu.