A ROMAN Catholic deacon whose cure from a crippling spinal disease was deemed a miracle is to visit Oxford.
Jack Sullivan, from the American diocese of Boston, is visiting London, Birmingham and Oxford in November accompanied by his wife Carol, the Catholic Church in England and Wales has confirmed.
Deacon Sullivan, 70, prayed for the help of the Ven John Henry Newman, a revered 19th century clergyman who famously converted from the Church of England to Catholicism, while suffering intense pain in 2001.
Mr Sullivan spoke of how he had been able to walk and had become completely free of pain after the prayer.
Pope Benedict XVI cleared the way for the beatification of Cardinal Newman in July — to take place next year in the Archdiocese of Birmingham — after he recognised the cure as a miracle.
The beatification of Cardinal Newman, who died in 1890, brings him closer to being made England’s first non-martyred saint since the Reformation.
Mr Sullivan will visit places connected with the life of Cardinal Newman during his six-day visit from November 9 to 14.
In Oxford, he will visit Newman’s former home, The Cottage in Littlemore, where he was received into the Catholic Church by Blessed Dominic Barberi, an Italian priest, in 1845.
The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, said the visit was an important event.
He said: “I am delighted to welcome Deacon Jack Sullivan to this country.
“His presence and testimony will help us to understand more deeply the power of prayer and the importance of intercession to those who can pray for us in the presence of God.”
On Friday, November 13, Mr Sullivan will visit Oriel College, where Newman was a tutor and a fellow.
He will also visit Trinity College where Newman was elected a scholar — and years later in 1877 became the first honorary fellow.
The following day he will be guest of Fr Robert Byrne, provost of the Oxford Oratory, and attend the 10am mass.
After mass, the deacon will have an opportunity to meet parishioners before returning to London, and home to the USA.
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