Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe
Stored: Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe
| His Eminence Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of London |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 2 October 1971 by Bishop Christopher Butler |
| Consecration: | |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe August 22, 1945 London, England |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | British |
| Education: | St John's College, Oxford |
| Motto: | Veritatem in Caritate |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Northern Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, born August 22, 1945, is a British Catholic cardinal, Dominican priest, and theologian. Master of the Order of Preachers from 1992 to 2001, he was the first English Dominican to hold the office. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024, he received a rare dispensation from the requirement of episcopal consecration, serving as cardinal-deacon of Santi Nomi di Gesù e Maria in Via Lata. Known for his work at the Las Casas Institute promoting social justice and for leading Synod on Synodality retreats, Radcliffe is a prominent voice within the Roman Rite.[1][2][3]
Born in London, Radcliffe was inspired by the Saint Thomas Aquinas, whose theology shapes his writings. In 2025, at age 79, he was eligible for the papal conclave, with his preaching and synodal reflections influencing Church dialogue. His progressive views, particularly on outreach to LGBT Catholics, have sparked both admiration and controversy.[4][5]
Biography
Birth and early life
Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe was born on August 22, 1945 in London, England, to Lt-Col. Hugh Radcliffe (1911–1993) and Mariequita Pereira (1916–2005), the third of five sons in an aristocratic family.[1][2] Inspired by Thomas Aquinas’s intellectual rigor, he entered the Dominican Order in 1965. His cousin, Sir Sebastian Radcliffe, is the 7th Baronet, and his brother Mark was High Sheriff of Hampshire (1996–1997).[1]
Raised in a privileged Catholic family, Radcliffe attended Worth Preparatory School and Downside School, fostering a blend of tradition and openness that defines his theology. His early peace activism shaped his social justice focus.[6]
Education
Radcliffe studied theology at St John’s College, Oxford, earning a master’s degree in 1969. He pursued further studies in Paris under Yves Congar, deepening his Dominican formation, and trained at Blackfriars, Oxford, without earning a doctorate.[1][2][7] His education emphasized scripture and social ethics.[8]
His Oxford and Parisian training connected him with global theologians, preparing him for leadership. He mastered French, Italian, and Spanish, aiding his international ministry.[2]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 2 October 1971 by Bishop Christopher Butler for the Diocese of London, Radcliffe served at the West London Catholic Chaplaincy (1970s) and taught scripture at Blackfriars, Oxford.[1][9] He was prior of Oxford’s Dominican convent (1982–1988), provincial of England (1988–1992), and Master of the Order of Preachers (1992–2001), overseeing Dominicans globally.[2]
His priesthood combined preaching, scholarship, and activism. He founded Dominican Volunteers International and supported AIDS ministry through Positive Faith. His 2007 Michael Ramsey Prize for *What Is the Point of Being a Christian?* highlighted his theological influence.[1][3]
Bishop
Appointed cardinal-deacon of Santi Nomi di Gesù e Maria in Via Lata on 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis, Radcliffe received a dispensation from episcopal consecration, a rare exception for non-bishops.[1][2] He led Synod on Synodality retreats in 2023 and 2024, shaping its spiritual direction, and served as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2015–2016).[3][10]
In 2025, at age 79, Radcliffe was eligible for the conclave, with his synodal leadership enhancing his influence, though his progressive views remain debated. He continues preaching and promoting social justice at Blackfriars, Oxford.[4][5][11]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santi Nomi di Gesù e Maria in Via Lata | Cardinal-Deacon | 7 December 2024 | Present | Appointed by Pope Francis; non-bishop cardinal |
Significant events
- Entered the Dominican Order in 1965.[1]
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of London by Bishop Christopher Butler on 2 October 1971.[1]
- Served as prior of Oxford’s Dominican convent from 1982 to 1988.[2]
- Elected provincial of the English Dominican Province in 1988, serving until 1992.[1]
- Elected Master of the Order of Preachers in 1992, serving until 2001.[1]
- Awarded the Michael Ramsey Prize for *What Is the Point of Being a Christian?* in 2007.[1]
- Named consultor to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace on 16 May 2015.[1]
- Appointed director of the Las Casas Institute at Blackfriars, Oxford, in 2014, serving until 2016.[8]
- Led retreats for the Synod on Synodality in October 2023 and September 2024.[10]
- Created cardinal-deacon of Santi Nomi di Gesù e Maria in Via Lata by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024.[2]
- Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, influencing synodal dialogue.[4][11]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books specifically dedicated to Cardinal Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- Sing a New Song: The Christian Vocation, Dublin, Dominican Publications, 1999, ISBN 1-871552-70-2.[1]
- I Call You Friends, London, Continuum, 2001, ISBN 978-0-8264-7262-5.[1]
- Seven Last Words, London, Burns & Oates, 2004, ISBN 978-0-86012-365-1.[1]
- What Is the Point of Being a Christian?, London, Burns & Oates, 2005, ISBN 978-0-86012-369-9.[1]
- Why Go to Church? The Drama of the Eucharist, London, Continuum, 2008, ISBN 978-0-8264-9956-1.[1]
- Take the Plunge: Living Baptism and Confirmation, London, Burns & Oates, 2012, ISBN 978-1-4411-1848-6.[1]
- Alive in God: A Christian Imagination, London, Bloomsbury, 2019, ISBN 978-1-4729-7020-6.[8]
External links
- Timothy Peter Joseph Cardinal Radcliffe, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- RADCLIFFE Card. Timothy Peter Joseph, O.P., Vatican Press Office
- Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, Blackfriars Hall
- Timothy Radcliffe, the popular and respected preacher ahead of the conclave, La Croix International
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 "Timothy Radcliffe". 2024-10-07. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Radcliffe.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "RADCLIFFE Card. Timothy Peter Joseph, O.P.". 2024-12-07. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_radcliffe.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals, including Timothy Radcliffe". 2024-12-07. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/pope-francis-creates-21-new-cardinals-including-timothy-radcliffe.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Father Timothy Radcliffe’s designation as Synod on Synodality’s retreat master stirs anxiety". 2023-01-27. https://www.ncregister.com/news/father-timothy-radcliffe-designation-as-synod-on-synodality-retreat-master-stirs-anxiety.
- ↑ "Timothy Radcliffe". https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55590/timothy-radcliffe.
- ↑ "Cardinal Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, O.P.". 2024-12-06. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinal-timothy-radcliffe.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP". 2018-08-08. https://www.bfriars.ox.ac.uk/people/fr-timothy-radcliffe-op/.
- ↑ "Timothy Peter Joseph Cardinal Radcliffe". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bradcliffe.html.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Interview: Timothy Radcliffe on how he prepares to give homilies". 2024-09-30. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/09/30/timothy-radcliffe-synod-preaching-homilies-248824.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Timothy Radcliffe, the popular and respected preacher ahead of the conclave". 2025-04-29. https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/timothy-radcliffe-the-popular-and-respected-preacher-ahead-of-the-conclave/19276.