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STEUBENVILLE, OH— When Pope Leo XIV officially declares St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Universal Church at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on November 1, ̽������ philosophy professor  will be among a select group of scholars seated in the front row—honoring his behind-the-scenes role in preparing the case for Newman’s elevation.

“I was humbled to be asked to join this esteemed group of scholars who petitioned the Vatican to confer the title ‘Doctor of the Universal Church’ upon St. John Henry Newman,” Gage said.  “The ability to witness the pope confer this title is not only a monumental moment for the Church but also a personal honor that I will cherish. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”

St. John Henry Newman is one of the most important religious figures in the history of England. He was a 19^th Century Anglican priest and leader of the Oxford Movement who converted to Catholicism and later became a cardinal in the Catholic Church. The English Catholic theologian, philosopher, writer, and poet was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and canonized a saint by Pope Francis in 2019.

Gage was part of an international team of Newman scholars invited by the National Institute for Newman Studies (NINS) to contribute to the Positio, the official Vatican document presented to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and shared with bishops worldwide as part of Pope Leo XIV’s consultation process.

“My co-author, Dr. Frederick Aquino of Southern Methodist University, and I were asked to write the chapter on Newman’s philosophy of faith and reason,” explained Gage. “Writing on Newman over the last several years has deepened my appreciation for his contributions to faith and reason, the importance of conscience, liberal education, and the development of doctrine.”

Their chapter was one of several included in the Positio submitted to the Vatican in support of Newman’s cause. The pope’s decision earlier this year recognizes Newman’s profound influence on both theology and philosophy, especially his insights into the relationship between faith, reason, and the development of doctrine.

“Newman’s key contribution was to recognize that our everyday certitudes—such as that Great Britain is an island or that one day we will die—don’t stem from proofs or syllogistic arguments,” Gage explained. “Instead, certitude is built up from numerous lines of converging and convincing evidence. Religious belief is often rational, since we often have good reasons for our belief, even if we aren’t always skilled in articulating them.”

Gage added that Newman “walked a middle ground between those who think we don’t need reasons for religious belief and those who think we can mathematically prove them.”

He noted that for Newman, “Our confidence in faith is warranted not by a single proof, but by the harmony of many reasons—answers to prayer, historical evidence, beauty, and the witness of the saints—all converging on truth.”

Gage and Aquino have co-authored several scholarly articles and book chapters on Newman’s epistemology and are currently co-writing a forthcoming Cambridge University Press book on the same subject. The group of Newman scholars who contributed to the Positio will also participate in a scholarly conference in Rome surrounding the conferral Mass and may have a private audience with the pope following the liturgy.

̽������ President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, praised Gage’s work.

“Dr. Gage’s contributions reflect the kind of intellectual rigor and faithfulness that are hallmarks of ̽������,” Father Pivonka said. “To have one of our faculty members play a role in helping the Holy Father recognize St. John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church is a tremendous honor.”