Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP named as new Cardinal

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Date 25 October 2024

Many congratulations to the distinguished theologian, who is an alumnus and Honorary Fellow of St John's.

The English theologian and Master Emeritus of the Order of Preachers is to be made a cardinal by Pope Francis.

Father Timothy Radcliffe OP

After studying here at St John's, Radcliffe entered the Dominican Order and was ordained a priest. In 1992, he was elected Master of the Dominican Order, an office he held until 2001. He is the only member of the Order's English Province to have been elected Master.

In 2003, the university awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity. The Chancellor, the Right Honorable Christopher Patten, said:

"I present a man distinguished both for eloquence and for wit, a master theologian who has never disregarded ordinary people, a practical man who believes that religion and the teachings of theology must be constantly applied to the conduct of public life."

Fr Radcliffe is a member of the Dominican Community at Blackfriars, Oxford, a Fellow of Blackfriars Hall and an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College.

Announced on Sunday 6 October as one of 21 new cardinals to be created on 7 December 2024, he will bring the total of English cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church to four.