About Us
Our history, mission, and the people behind the Association
Our History
Founded in 2018, the Saint John Henry Newman Friends Association Kenya emerged from a shared conviction among Kenyan academics and clergy that Cardinal Newman's insights on education, conscience, and the development of doctrine hold profound relevance for Africa today. What began as informal reading groups in Nairobi has grown into a recognized member of the international Newman family.
Our founding coincided with the canonization of John Henry Newman on 13 October 2019 by Pope Francis, an event that energized Catholic intellectual life worldwide and gave our nascent association a powerful sense of purpose.
Mission & Vision
We exist to promote the study, dissemination, and application of Newman's thought across Kenya and the broader African region. Our vision is a community where Newman's ideals of liberal education, the primacy of conscience, and the harmony of faith and reason shape public discourse and personal formation.
Our Leadership
Our Patron Saint
Saint John Henry Newman (1801–1890) was an English theologian, philosopher, and poet who became one of the most influential figures in modern Christianity. Originally an Anglican clergyman and a leader of the Oxford Movement, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1845 and was later created a Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII.
Newman's motto, "Cor ad cor loquitur" (Heart speaks unto heart), captures his belief that genuine faith is communicated not through argument alone, but through the witness of a life devoted to truth. He was canonized by Pope Francis on 13 October 2019 and declared a Doctor of the Church.