Cardinal's
Remains Moved to Avoid Embarrassment

British Cardinal Newman's last and final request is being overturned by the Catholic Church in its bid to lift him to sainthood, reports British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.

Newman, who died in 1890, requested and was granted burial alongside his close friend Ambrose St. John. There has been much speculation about the nature of the relationship between the two priests.

Though Cardinal Newman was a lifelong celibate and many scholars argue that his love for his fellow priest was merely platonic, this move by the Catholic Church to move his remains has fueled speculation that they are embarrassed by the close nature of the friendship between the two men. The church claims the move is in preparation for his beatification, the third stage of recognition of sainthood.

Cardinal Newman set up the Catholic University of Ireland, which is now the University College Dublin. He was a pillar of the Oxford Movement, which tried to bring the Anglican Church back to its Roman Catholic roots. After this failed, he converted to Roman Catholicism. (The Advocate)