John Newton undertook postgraduate studies examining the relationship between literature and theology after the Reformation at the universities of Oxford and Durham, graduating with a PhD in English from the latter institute in 2004. Since 2007 he has been Press Officer for Aid to the Church in Need and has edited or co-authored several books for the charity, including its report on the oppression of Christians, Persecuted and Forgotten? and Eucharistic Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests and Spiritual Maternity.