Blessed John Henry Newman ?

The Times reports that the Vatican will soon announce the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman after accepting that he was responsible for a miracle in which an American clergyman was “cured” of a crippling spinal disorder.

Newman will be given the title “Blessed” after a ceremony later this year, leaving him one step away from full sainthood.

If the church attributes a further miracle to him, Newman could be canonised as early as 2009.

The last time a Briton was canonised was in 1970 when 40 martyrs from the Reformation were made saints.