JOHN PAUL I
from issue no. 08 - 2008
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The cause of the Servant of God Albino Luciani
by Stefania Falasca
The cause for the
beatification and canonization of John Paul I was solemnly opened on 23
November 2003 in the Cathedral of Belluno. The diocesan enquiry into his
virtues concluded on 10 November 2006. The investigation brought together
all the spoken and documentary evidence. During its 203 sessions 170
witnesses were heard in the episcopal headquarters in Belluno, Vittorio
Veneto, Venice and Rome. On 27 June last year the formal decree of validity
of the diocesan proceedings was signed by the Congregation for the Causes
of the Saints and Father Cristoforo Bove was appointed to bring forward the
cause. The Roman phase of the cause thus opened. In this second phase, on
the basis of the documents recognized and endorsed by the decree of
validity, the Positio super virtutibus will be prepared which must demonstrate the heroic virtues
and reputation of sanctity of the servant of God. Upon completion of the Positio two stages of enquiry
follow, one conducted by the Congress of consultant theologians and one by
the ordinary Congregation of bishops and cardinals. The promulgation of the
decree on the virtues will be the final act in the process of ascertainment
of the heroic virtues.
