Killed nun declared Blessed
Bhopal/Indore, Nov. 4: Kerala-born nun Rani Maria Vattali, who was stabbed to death 50 times in 1995 in Madhya Pradesh, was today declared ‘Blessed’, a sacred title in the Roman Catholic church order.
The Vatican’s head of the Department for Cause of Saints, Cardinal Angelo Amato, declared Vattali, popularly known as Sister Rani, ‘Blessed’, a stage below sainthood.
Cardinal Amato read out Apostolic (Pope’s) letter declaring her ‘Blessed’ in Latin at a Holy Mass at Saint Paul Higher Secondary School’s ground in Indore in the presence of large numbers of clerics and Christians.
The nun’s killer also attended the ceremony.
Cardinal George Alencherry read out the letter of Pope Francis in English, while Cardinal Telesphore Toppo did so in Hindi at the mass presided over by Cardinal Amato.
Bhopal/Indore: Kerala-born nun Rani Maria Vattali, who was stabbed to death in 1995 in Madhya Pradesh, was on Saturday declared ‘Blessed’, a sacred title in the Roman Catholic church order. Selmy, sister of the slain nun, who along with other family members was present at the ceremony, said she was “overwhelmed” at the declaration. An elated Selmy said she will walk on the path shown by her sister. “The Blessed title is considered a prelude to beatification of sainthood as was the case with Mother Teresa,” Public Relations Officer of Madhya Pradesh Catholic Church, Father Maria Stephen said. But for canonisation of sainthood, a miracle is required, he said.