Cardinals approve miracle
for Newman beatification
by Peter Jennings
June 19, 2009
The miracle necessary for the beatification of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) was approved by the cardinals of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints during their meeting in Rome on June 2.
The Congregation is now working on the document that will include a résumé of the life of Cardinal Newman and the miraculous cure attributed to this Servant of God of Jack Sullivan, a Permanent Deacon from the Archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts.
Jack Sullivan, aged 70, who lives with his wife Carol in Marshfield, near Boston, was cured of an extremely serious spinal disorder on August 15, 2001, the Solemnity of the Assumption, following his intense intercession to Cardinal Newman.
When completed the document will be taken by the Perfect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Archbishop Angelo Amato, S.D.B., to Pope Benedict XVI who will authorize the promulgation of a decree.
The Pope, who is taking a personal interest in the Cause, was first introduced to the theology of Cardinal Newman in January 1946 when he was a young seminary student in Germany.
This correspondent was able to give the joyful news by telephone to Deacon Jack Sullivan at his home on June 13. Asked for this initial impressions upon receiving the news of the favorable recommendation of the cardinals, he responded by e-mail 24 hours later.
Deacon Jack Sullivan wrote: “When I first learned of the favorable recommendation of the Cardinals and bishops comprising the congregation for the Causes of Saints, I felt a sense of awe and immense gratitude to God and Cardinal Newman.
“If it wasn't for Cardinal Newman's intercession when experiencing extremely severe spinal problems, it would have been virtually impossible to complete my diaconate formation and be ordained for the Archdiocese of Boston. Nor would I have been able to continue in my chosen profession as a magistrate in our court system to support my family.
“My fervent desire to give all that I have in my parish ministry at both St Thecla's parish in Pembroke, Massachusetts, and my prison ministry at the House of Correction in Plymouth, Massachusetts, best expresses the intense appreciation I have for God's gift and Cardinal Newman, who directs my efforts.
“I have developed a very real relationship with Cardinal Newman in frequent prayer and I try to pass on what marvelous gifs I have received to those I meet.
“Secondly, when receiving the news, I felt a very deep sense of the reality of God's love for each one of us especially during times of immense difficulties and suffering.”
Deacon Sullivan added: “I realise that indeed there is such a thing as the Communion of Saints and a place of perfect peace which God has prepared for each on e of us. As the kindly light of truth guided the life of Newman amidst unspeakable challenges in his world, so too I feel the same sense of direction when reflecting on these awesome gifts by realising that God dispenses His favor especially on the lowly and those who are ordinary as beautifully described in our Lady’s praises in her Magnificat.”
On April 24, 2008, the Medical Commission of five doctors appointed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints voted unanimously that Deacon Jack Sullivan’s cure could not be explained medically.
The Positio was given to the seven members of the Board of Theologians appointed by the Congregation in late July 2008 just before the long Rome summer holiday.
At its meeting on September 20, 2008, the theologians voted four in favour with three reserving their judgment. A two-thirds majority, a minimum of five votes in favour was required before the case could be referred to the cardinals of the Congregation for a final vote.
The theologians requested further information and clarification from Deacon Sullivan and the Diocesan Commission set up in the Archdiocese of Boston to gather the evidence of the alleged miraculous cure. This was provided and the theologians met again just before Christmas, on 20 December, 2008. Again the vote was the same.
At the request of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints some of the material was strengthen and re-presented to the theologians. On March 28, 2009, the decision of the theologians was unanimous in favour of the miracle necessary to beatify Cardinal Newman.
The Positio was then completed before being given to the cardinals of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints. It is the cardinals who recommend to the Holy Father that a Servant of God is worthy to be beatified. It is the Pope alone who authorises the promulgation of the degree.
Beatification comes from the Latin word beatus, meaning happy, blessed, holy. Beatification is an act by which the Catholic Church through an official decree by the Pope, permits public veneration under the title Blessed, of a dead person whose life is marked by holiness and the heroic practice of the virtues.
At present opinion is divided as to the venue for the Beatification Ceremony between a location in Rome or Westminster Cathedral in London. There are two indisputable reasons for having the ceremony in Rome.
The first is the world-wide interest in Newman both as a theologian and writer but also as a holy, humble and pastoral parish priest who looked after the sick and poor of his Oratory Parish in Edgbaston.
Secondly the fact that Newman is a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church. When he was created a Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879 Newman wrote requesting permission to continue to live in Birmingham and continue his work as a parish priest rather than move to Rome as was the norm for cardinals at that time.
The Pope granted permission and Cardinal Newman died in his room at the Oratory House in Edgbaston during the evening of August 11, 1890.
The intriguing question now is will Pope Benedict XVI make an exception and personally beatify, either in Rome or in England, the best-known 19th century English Churchman, Blessed John Henry Newman.