November 18

Thomas Burgess served as Bishop of St Davids from 1803 and later as Bishop of Salisbury, advocating for improved clergy education and social welfare. In 1822, he founded St David’s College in Lampeter, the first degree-awarding institution in Wales, to train Anglican clergy and promote higher learning. A prolific author, Burgess wrote works on ethics, theology, and classical literature, blending Enlightenment ideals with Anglican doctrine. He supported charitable initiatives for the poor and corresponded with prominent intellectuals of his day. Burgess’s reforms strengthened the Church of England’s role in education and society. He died in 1837, leaving a lasting academic and ecclesiastical legacy.

Robert Hugh Benson was born into an Anglican family as the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury but converted to Catholicism at age 21. He was ordained as a Catholic priest and served in various parishes and as a seminary lecturer. Benson gained literary acclaim for works such as 'Lord of the World', considered an early dystopian novel. His writings often explored religious themes and social critique. Despite his short life, he published novels, biographies, and polemical essays, leaving a lasting mark on Catholic literature.

Ennio Antonelli (born 1936) is an Italian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained a priest in 1959 and later served as Archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve from 1988 to 1995. From 1998 to 2008, Antonelli was President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, promoting Catholic teachings on marriage and family life. He was appointed Archbishop of Florence in 2008 and led the archdiocese until 2015. Elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II in 2001, he participated in the 2005 and 2013 papal conclaves. Known for his pastoral care and theological writings, Antonelli remains an influential voice in discussions on social and ethical issues within the Church.

Jules Mikhael Al-Jamil (1938–2012) was an Iraqi-Lebanese archbishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church. He provided spiritual leadership to communities in Iraq and Lebanon during times of social and political upheaval. Known for his commitment to education, he supported the establishment of schools and youth programs within his jurisdiction. Al-Jamil also engaged in interfaith dialogue, promoting understanding between Christian and Muslim communities. His pastoral letters and initiatives strengthened the resilience of Middle Eastern Christian minorities. Throughout his tenure, he focused on rebuilding church institutions and advocating for peace. His legacy is honored by those he served across the region.

Born in Buenos Aires in 1943, Sandri was ordained a priest in 1968. He served in nunciatures in Nigeria, Ecuador, and Mexico before joining the Vatican Secretariat of State. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. He was elevated to cardinal that same year and has represented the Pope as a legate at major liturgical events. Sandri is recognized for his leadership in Catholic diplomacy and interfaith dialogue.