Vatican declares new martyrs; others advance toward beatification

CWN - May 10, 2012

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has released a series of decrees paving the way for the canonization of 39 candidates, including 37 martyrs, and testifying to the “heroic virtue” of 11 others, including a 19th-century American bishop and a 20th-century American nun.

While approving these decrees, Pope Benedict XVI also announced that St. Hildegard of Bingen should be included in the directory of saints, thereby clearing up any lingering uncertainty about the status of the 12th-century German mystic (See today’s separate CWN story.)

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints confirmed the authenticity of miracles attributed to two candidates for beatification:

Both will now be eligible for beatification.

The Congregation issued a series of decrees proclaiming the martyrdom of:

Finally the Congregation attested to the “heroic virtue” exhibited by 11 candidates, who will now be eligible for beatification if a miracle is attributed to their influence:

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