Here at St Luke’s, we like to celebrate each other’s successes, however big or small – and this one’s a biggie!

One of our members, Richard Burridge – who, when he’s wearing his ‘Reverend Professor’ hat, is also the Dean of King’s College London – has been named a recipient of the 2013 Ratzinger Prize. What’s more, he’s the first non-Catholic to receive the award.

The Ratzinger Prize – sometimes referred to as the ‘Nobel Prize in Theology’ – is a highly prestigious award, given to individuals who’ve distinguished themselves in academic research relating to the work of Joseph Ratzinger, former Pope Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini, academic committee president of the Ratzinger Foundation, said, ‘Richard Burridge is an eminent figure in the field of Biblical studies and has made a great contribution in the area of the historical and theological recognition of the gospels’ inseparable connection to Jesus of Nazareth.’

Richard will receive the award from Pope Francis in October, after delivering a paper on the literary genre of the gospels at a three day symposium in Rome.

‘This award has come as a huge surprise,’ says Richard. ‘I’m extremely honoured and excited to be named as one of this year’s recipients, not least as the first non-Catholic to be awarded the prize.’ On top of that, Richard has just been invited to become Canon Theologian of Salisbury Cathedral – which, after he has been formally installed in October, will make him ‘Reverend Canon Professor’! But we're glad to say he’ll still be a regular at St Luke’s.

Well done, Richard – you’ve done us proud!