Timothy Radcliffe, a Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, was created a Cardinal by Pope Francis at a ceremony at the Vatican on 7th December, making him one of four current English Cardinals. The position of Cardinal is the second highest in the Catholic Church and the College of Cardinals plays an important role in advising the Pope and Church administration.
Radcliffe lived, taught, and lectured at Blackfriars Hall, a Permanent Private Hall for graduate students at the University of Oxford that specialises in theology and philosophy and is operated by the Dominican Order. He is also an Honorary Fellow and alumnus of St John’s College.
Cardinal Radcliffe told Cherwell: “The Catholic Church is in a moment of profound transition” and that he hopes to help “make the Church more welcoming to everyone and (…) share the gospel with a world which is increasingly torn apart by war and violence.”
On his time at Oxford, Radcliffe said that he was “blessed with wonderful tutors” who helped him learn “how to engage with people with whom [he] disagreed”. Radcliffe added he hoped to continue to be based in Blackfriars as he found Oxford “a marvellously stimulating place to live” and that he will be able to “continue to visit the difficult places of suffering and poverty”.
Radcliffe was also the head of the Dominican Order from 1992-2001. It is a Catholic organisation that focuses on education and theological intellectual inquiry. He was awarded an honorary Doctor in Divinity in 2003, given in recognition of his contribution to theology and religious leadership.
Radcliffe will turn 80 years old next August, meaning that it is unlikely he will be eligible to vote for the next Pope: The rules dictate that only those under 80 are allowed to form the conclave. Because of this, some commentators see his appointment as an honorific reward for his service to the Catholic Church.
Traditionally, most cardinals have been bishops or archbishops, though this has occasionally been waived, as in the case of Cardinal Radcliffe. This most recent intake of 21 new cardinals has also seen Pope Francis appoint many cardinals from Catholic minority countries, such as Ukraine, India, and Iran.
