75th Anniversary of the Newman Association

It gives me great pleasure to offer a few words of greeting as you gather in celebration at the Birmingham Oratory to mark the founding of the Newman Association in 1942, 75 years ago at Birmingham University. I know there are members here from all over England, Wales and Scotland and you are most welcome in Birmingham, the city in which Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman made his home.

Within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, I am always grateful to learn of the many activities that are organised locally by the various Newman Circles during the course of the year and to see the wide range of topics discussed. Looking through the latest newsletter of the Newman Association, I know that these meetings are replicated throughout the dioceses of England, Wales and Scotland, which demonstrates the important contribution the association makes to the life of the Church nationally and beyond.

In his poem The Pillar of the Cloud, which people will know more familiarly as the hymn Lead kindly Light, Blessed John Henry shares with us his deeply held belief in the Lord who illuminates the path before us as the light of the world. I do wish to encourage and thank all those involved with the Newman Association over these past 75 years. I pray for its continued work in the future as it provides an important opportunity for clergy and lay faithful to engage together about matters of faith, encouraged by the example of Blessed John Henry Newman.

With the assurances of my prayers and kindest wishes.

Yours faithfully in Christ

+ Bernard Longley

✠Bernard Longley
Archbishop of Birmingham