AN ecumenical service to be held at St Paul's Cathedral in a fortnight's time will celebrate Cardinal John Henry Newman's association with the life of the City of London.
The service, on November 23, which is part of this year's celebrations marking the centenary of the cardinal's death, will be attended by Cardinal Basil Hume and Dr Robert Runcie, the archbishop of Canterbury. An address will be given by Dr John Newton, moderator of the Free Church Federal Council. Cardinal Newman was born within the City walls in 1801 at 80 Old Broad Street, on the site of the present day Stock Exchange. He was baptised on April 9 of that year in the City church of St Benet Fink, which has since been demolished.
The cardinal's longstanding friendship with Richard Church, dean of St Paul's between 18711891, will also be marked during the ceremony, as will his association with members of the legal profession and those in government circles. The choir of Westminster cathedral will sing
in St Paul's for what is believed to be the first time.
At an interdenominational service in honour of Cardinal Newman in Birmingham last week Archbishop Edward Cassidy, president of the pontifical council for promoting Christian unity, reminded those present of the cardinal's "significant contribution" to ecumenical dialogue. The service took place at St Anne's church, Alcester Street, where Newman first worked as a priest.