CAUSE FOR SAINTHOOD OF CEBUANO BISHOP REACHES 'ROMAN STAGE'

            For the second time this year, documents of a Filipino candidate for sainthood will be submitted to the Vatican soon.

            Fr. Mhar Balili, the vice-postulator for the cause for sainthood Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, said the diocesan process has been declared valid by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints of the Vatican.

            "The result came out so fast seven months after its submission," he said on his social media account.

            "Now, we begin the ROMAN STAGE wherein we will make the "positio" - a dissertation that will prove his heroic virtues and fame of sanctity. This will be submitted to Rome and reviewed by theologians and cardinals," he added.

Balili explained that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints will then submit a recommendation to the Pope, who will make his judgment declaring the candidate "Venerable."

            "One miracle is needed for his beatification. Then, another miracle is required for him to be canonized. Let's continue to pray," he said.

            Camomot was born in Carcar, Cebu on March 3, 1914. He studied at the Seminario de San Carlos and was ordained priest on Dec. 15, 1940. He was named coadjutor Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro City and appointed parish priest of Sta. Rita, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.  He later returned to Cebu as an auxiliary bishop to Julio Cardinal Rosales.

            He founded religious congregations for women. He was known for his generosity towards the poor and have the ability to bi-locate. In March this year, the Diocese of Dipolog announced that the diocesan process cause for sainthood of Jesuit priest Francesco Palliola has ended and that documents are set to be submitted to the Vatican. Palliola was born in Naples, Italy but spent many years in Mindanao, particularly in the Zamboanga Peninsula. He was martyred at Ponot, now Jose Dalman town, on Jan. 29, 1648./MP