Thousands gather as cardinals beatify priests in India, Italy

Published: 2006-05-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Thousands of people gathered at a parish church in southern India and in the square in front of the cathedral in Milan, Italy, April 30 for the beatification of three priests. With Pope Benedict XVI signing beatification decrees but not presiding over the ceremonies, Father Augustine Thevarparampil was beatified at St. Augustine Parish in Ramapuram, India, and Fathers Luigi Biraghi and Luigi Monza were beatified in Milan. Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, head of India's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, presided over the beatification of Father Thevarparampil, who spent about 40 years as an assistant pastor at St. Augustine Parish, focusing his ministry on the "dalit" people once considered untouchable in India's traditional caste system. Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan presided over the Mass for the beatification of the two Italian priests. Blessed Monza founded the Secular Institute of the Little Apostles of Charity, a group of consecrated women devoted to caring for disabled children. Blessed Biraghi founded the Marcelline Sisters dedicated to educating children.

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