Pope Paul VI moving closer to beatification?
December 14, 2012
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has voted to declare the “heroic virtue” of Pope Paul VI, according to an Italian report.
Andrea Tornielli of La Stampa--who has compiled an admirable record for correctly predicting developments at the Vatican—reports that the Congregation voted unanimously to approve the decree advancing the cause of the late Pontiff at a December 10 meeting.
On December 20, the Pope will meet with Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, to approve decrees from that dicastery. If the Pontiff approves the decree regarding Pope Paul VI—as he is expected to do—the late Pope would be known as “Venerable Paul VI,” and could the only remaining requirement for beatification would be a miracle attributed to his intercession.
The postulator for the cause of Paul VI has already selected one reported miracle to be investigated: the inexplicable cure of an unborn child in California 16 years ago. Doctors had said that the baby could not survive, and had recommended abortion; the child’s mother chose to continue the pregnancy, praying for the intercession of Paul VI. The child is now a healthy 15-year-old.
The approval of this case, or some other miracle, could pave the way for the beatification of Paul VI before the end of 2013. The year has special significance for his case, because it marks the 50th anniversary of his election to the papacy and the 50th anniversary of Vatican II, which he helped shepherd to its conclusion.
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Posted by: koinonia -
Dec. 15, 2012 2:14 PM ET USA
There has been an urgent and unprecedented haste in these matters in recent years. There are two references- to the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and to the 50th anniversary of his election as pontiff. Four consecutive popes on track for beatification and/or canonization. Tremendous emotional outpouring and urgency despite tremendous turmoil. This is unprecedented in the history of the Church. Let's hope it is a very good thing.
