NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) – This week the diocese of Rome will conclude the local phase of the process for the beatification of Pope Paul VI.

      The cause for the beatification of Pope Paul, who served as Pontiff from 1963 to 1978, was opened in May 1993, with the approval of the Holy See, under the aegis of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope’s vicar for Rome. Some 63 witnesses have presented evidence to a diocesan tribunal, and their testimony has been confirmed by declarations from many bishops.

      During this time, another process was taking place in Milan, where Giovanni Battista Montini served as archbishop from 1954 until his election to Peter’s throne. And a third process was begun in Brescia, where he was born and raised. The Milan tribunal heard 71 witnesses; the Brescia panel heard 21 more.

      After the completion of the diocesan inquiries, all of the testimony heard by these tribunals will be forwarded to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints. That dicastery will then prepare a "Positio," or synthesis of the documentation, to determine whether there is adequate evidence to justify a finding that Pope Paul lived a life of "heroic virtue."