Nov. 9: How Did the Leader of a Movement in The Episcopal Church Become a Catholic Saint?

How did the leader of a movement in the episcopal church become a catholic saint?

Sunday, Nov. 9

10 a.m., Crail C

The Rev. Dr. Benjamin J. King, academic dean at Seminary of the Southwest, discusses his new book, "The Oxford Movement and the People of God: Enslavement, Education, and Empire."

In this presentation, Dr. King will lecture on the Oxford movement and the life of John Henry Newman. Newman was a leader of the Oxford movement in the 1800s in the Church of England, which also changed the face of The Episcopal Church. Newman emphasized the role of the laity in shaping the mind of the church through their consent.

The Rev. Dr. Ben King recently contributed to a theological document used in considering Newman, who became a Catholic later in his life, as a Doctor of the Church. On July 31, 2025, Pope Leo XIV confirmed that Saint John Henry Newman will soon be proclaimed a Doctor of the Church. 

About Dr. Benjamin J. King

Dr. Benjamin King is the Academic Dean and Duncalf-Villavoso Professor of Church History, having joined Seminary of the Southwest in 2023. His current areas of research are the Oxford Movement, particularly the theology of John Henry Newman; the development of the Anglican Communion; and The Episcopal Church’s historic entanglement with slavery. He teaches the core courses in church history as well as electives in Anglican theology and history.

He is the author of two books. The first, "Newman and the Alexandrian Fathers," won a Templeton Award for Theological Promise. The second is a groundbreaking work entitled "The Oxford Movement and the People of God: Enslavement, Education, and Empire." He is also co-editor of "Receptions of Newman and The Oxford Handbook of John Henry Newman." 

He has written numerous articles and lectured internationally. Dr King has been an Episcopal priest since 2000 and, as well as being a professor, has served in parish and campus ministry.