Journey to sainthood for Cebuano archbishop starts

CEBU CITY – The Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican has given the green light for the second phase of the beatification and canonization of Cebuano Archbishop Teofilo Camomot.

The go-ahead from the Vatican was confirmed by Fr. Mhar Balili, vice postulator for the cause of Camomot's canonization, in a Facebook post Thursday.

The Archdiocese of Cebu received the decision through a letter dated November 9 which Angelo Cardinal Amato, the prefect of the congregation, sent to the local church.

Balili said the decision was made during the congregation’s regular meeting last month.

The diocesan documentary, which is the first phase of the canonization process, included the archdiocese’s gathering of testimonies about the life and virtues of Camomot. This phase can take many years and concludes with the judgment of a diocesan tribunal, and the ultimate decision of the bishop, that the heroic virtues of the candidate for sainthood have or have not been demonstrated.

In Camomot’s case, “the result came out so fast – seven months after its submission,” Balili said.

The results, along with the bound volumes of documentation, or “Acta” (Acts), were then communicated to the congregation.

The congregation’s approval of the validity of Camomot’s sainthood also meant that the cause would now move to the roman stage.

In this phase, the Acta is committed by the congregation to a relator appointed from among the Congregation's College of Relators.

Working with a theological commission established by the congregation, the relator would have to ensure that the “positio,” or a dissertation summarizing the life and virtues of the candidate is properly prepared.

When the positio is completed, the theological commission would vote on the cause which would then be passed to the cardinal, archbishop and bishop members of the congregation who will have also to vote.

If the vote is yes, the recommendation of a Decree of Heroic Virtues is sent to the Pope for final judgment.

One miracle is needed for Camomot’s beatification. “Another miracle is required for him to be canonized,” Balili said.