THE I-IEAD OF the Vatican Department for Christian Unity is to visit England next month to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the reception of Cardinal John Henry Newman into the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Edward Cassidy will stay in Littlemore, Oxford, where Newman was received by Fr Dominic Barberi, from 7 9 October, during which time he will preach and preside at Masses.
His visit serves to emphasise the continuing importance of Cardinal Newman's life, thought, writing and influence in the life of the Church today.
Since the 100th anniversary celebrations in 1945, when the whole Catholic hierarchy appeared for a Mass at the Birmingham Oratory, Fr Dominic Barberi has been declared blessed, and Cardinal Newman has been declared venerable.
Cardinal Cassidy's principal engagements are to preach and preside at the Pilgrimage Mass, Blessed Dominic Barberi Church, Littlemore, Oxford, at 12 noon on Saturday, 7 October, to preside at the 1 lam Mass at St Aloysius', Oxford (the Oxford Oratory) on Sunday, 8 October, and to preside and preach at the Birmingham Oratory at 6.15pm on Monday, 9 October, the actual anniversary of his reception.
The Cardinal stays on in England for a few days after the week-end.