MADRID, (ZENIT) - The Spanish Episcopal Conference has petitioned the Holy See, requesting the Holy Father to declare St. John of Avila a doctor of the Universal Church. The Bishops highlight the figure of the saint as a model for the new evangelization in his work as catechist and pioneer in educational and cultural pastoral care, but also because of his concern for vocations, and his outstanding life of poverty and prayer. In his preaching and writings St. John of Avila stressed the sacramental dimension of Christianity, particularly the Eucharist.

    St. John of Avila was the founder of a University and numerous schools, as well as three centers for the continuing education of the clergy. In addition, he was the author of an original catechism in verse, which was so successful "that the Jesuits used it in their schools; it was used in the greater part of Spain, especially in America, and even in Africa," the Episcopal Conference emphasized. ZE00011407