Pope to preside at beatification of Cardinal Newman?

November 30, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI will preside at the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman during his visit to Great Britain next year, the Catholic Herald reports.

Although neither the papal visit to England nor the beatification of Cardinal Newman has been officially confirmed by the Vatican, the Catholic Herald quoted "informed sources" as saying that the Pontiff has decided to break from his usual policy to preside at the ceremonies for Cardinal Newman. Since the beginning of his pontificate, Benedict XVI has presided only at canonizations, leaving beatification ceremonies for other prelates. Father Ian Ker, a Newman biographer, said: "By breaking his own rules Pope Benedict clearly shows he regards Newman as a completely exceptional case, one of the great theologians of the Catholic Church."

 

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Further information:

• Pope Benedict plans to beatify Newman during visit to Britain (Catholic Herald)