CARDINAL John Henry Newman, the founder of UCD, is already due to be given the title “Blessed” by Pope Benedict later this month, but he may now also be made a Saint.

The former Anglican vicar, who shocked Victorian England when he converted to Catholicism, is to be beatified by Pope Benedict in Birmingham on September 19.

Cardinal Newman is on the brink of becoming the UK’s first saint in 40 years, according to a BBC documentary, which could reveal Newman’s second miracle.

In a documentary entitled “Newman – Saint or Sinner?”, Doctor Avvocati Andrea Ambrosi, Legal Counsel for the Birmingham Oratory, confirmed that he was about to leave for Mexico City to investigate a crucial second miracle that could lead to the eventual canonisation of Newman.

Ann Widdecombe, the former-conservative MP, devout Catholic and presenter of the documentary said: “To be a saint you need three things: evidence you’ve lived a holy life and two miracles. This could be the final stage leading to Newman’s sainthood. But it’s early days – the Vatican’s investigation of the second miracle hasn’t begun and no-one can anticipate the outcome.”

The Pope paved the way for Cardinal Newman’s beatification in July when Vatican doctors and theologians approved the inexplicable healing of Jack Sullivan, an American “bent double” by a severe spinal condition. Sullivan’s condition is said to have cleared up as a result of praying to Cardinal Newman.

Newman – Saint Or Sinner? will be broadcast on BBC Two on Saturday 18 September at 6.45pm.