Pope clears way for canonization of Indian nun, Ecuadorean laywoman

Published: 2007-06-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Approving a series of decrees, Pope Benedict XVI cleared the way for the canonization of a Syro-Malabar nun from India and a laywoman from Ecuador. In the decrees issued June 1, he also formally recognized the martyrdom of 188 Japanese Catholics, 127 victims of the Spanish Civil War and an Austrian layman executed for refusing to fight in the Nazi army. With the publishing of the martyrdom decrees, the beatification ceremonies can be scheduled. However, the Vatican did not announced dates for the ceremonies. Pope Benedict recognized miracles attributed to the intercession of the two women, who now can be declared saints. They are Blessed Alphonsa Muttathupandathu, a member of the Poor Clares who died in 1946 just before her 36th birthday, and Blessed Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran, a 19th-century Ecuadorean known for her deep prayer and self-mortification. In another decree, Pope Benedict recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of Father Antonio Rosmini, founder of the Institute of Charity, also known as the Rosminian Fathers. The decree clears the way for his beatification.

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