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Wait casts worry for Hawai'i on Damien sainthood
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| Contributor | Gerald Farinas |
| Last Edited | Gerald Farinas Apr 16, 2004 02:07pm |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Friday, April 16, 2004 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Wait casts worry for Hawai'i on Damien sainthood
The Honolulu Advertiser
When a tribunal of Hawai'i Roman Catholics wrapped up its investigation into a purported miracle attributed to Father Damien a year ago, there was optimism it would be enough to propel the Moloka'i legend into the legion of saints. In fact, with strong medical evidence supporting the case, there was even speculation that Damien would earn his halo within a year. But today, a year has come and gone, and there is still no word from Rome about when or if Damien will become a saint. Sister Helene Wood, the vice postulator who is heading the cause for Damien locally, said she fears a problem might be holding up the process. She said she and others were hoping the date for Damien's canonization would have been scheduled by now. "We're all a little disappointed it hasn't come out yet," Wood said yesterday.
The Belgian priest renowned for his service to the Hansen's disease patients of Kalaupapa in the 19th century is one verifiable miracle away from sainthood. The pope bestowed the title "blessed" on Damien in 1995, based on a miracle ascribed to him six years after his death in 1889. Last year, the Honolulu Diocese assembled a tribunal to examine an O'ahu woman's story that her cancer was cured after she traveled to Moloka'i to pray at Damien's grave. When the tribunal adjourned on April 16, 2003, local Catholic leaders expressed optimism that Damien would achieve sainthood relatively quickly.
The pope, who has named 477 saints and beatified 1,324 people during his 25 years as pontiff, is scheduled to beatify six more individuals in St. Peter's Square on April 25 and hold canonization ceremonies for six others on May 16. |
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