Scholars to Convene on Beatification of Cardinal John Newman

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Scholars to Convene on Beatification of Cardinal John Newman

Most Significant Convert to Catholicism in Modern Religious History
Guest Homilist Jack Sullivan is Newman’s First Miracle

Conference Precedes Beatification by Pope Benedict XVI in U.K.

PITTSBURGH, May 4, 2010 – A month before Pope Benedict XVI beatifies 19th century Roman Catholic Cardinal, philosopher and educator John Henry Newman, several hundred scholars and guests will convene in Pittsburgh to present their works on the life and influence of John Henry Cardinal Newman. Pittsburgh-based National Institute for Newman Studies will host the 2010 conference of the Newman Association of America, August 5 -7.

The conference theme is appropriately titled, “A Reflection on the Life, Work and Spirituality of John Henry Newman in Celebration of His Beatification.”

Over 25 speakers will deliver papers on such varied topics as “Principles of Newman's Theological Reading of the Fathers,” “Newman and Twentieth-Century Literary Converts: Lowell, Merton, and Day,” and “Holiness in the Parochial and Plain Sermons: Its Nature, Aids, and Obstacles.” Keynote addresses will be given by Fr. Ian Ker, of Oxford University, Dr. Terrence Merrigan, of the Catholic University of Leuven, and Dr. Cyril O’Regan of the University of Notre Dame.

“This annual event holds even greater importance this year in that it will celebrate the pending beatification by Pope Benedict XVI of Cardinal Newman in September during his trip to England,” said Father Drew Morgan, program chair of the 2010 National Newman Conference and director of the National Institute for Newman Studies. “We are blessed for this momentous opportunity to host this conference and to advance Newman’s cause for canonization,” he added.

The three-day gathering will generate much discussion on Newman’s life, thought, and spirituality. Conference registration is currently underway and online at www.newmanassociationofamerica.org. Registration for the conference will close on July 1. For questions about the Conference, please call (412)681-4375.


Public Invited to Special Opening Mass


The August 5 conference opening Mass at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh is a public event and will be celebrated by its Bishop David Zubik. Guest homilist for this opening Mass will be Deacon Jack Sullivan, the Massachusetts man who was healed from a serious illness through the intercession of Cardinal Newman, representing the first miracle in the road to his canonization.

Plans are underway for a special celebration of Cardinal Newman’s beatification on Sunday, September 19, at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Pittsburgh. The National Institute for Newman Studies will host this Mass on the same day of Cardinal Newman’s beatification by Pope Benedict XVI in Coventry, England, Newman’s hometown.

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