Vatican theologians see miracle in Hawaiian woman's cancer cure

Published: 2008-05-05

HONOLULU (CNS) -- Theological consultors to the Vatican Congregation for Saints' Causes have ruled that the cancer cure of a Hawaiian woman was due to Blessed Damien de Veuster's intercession, Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva announced April 29. The decision represents a major step forward in Father Damien's cause for canonization. The final actions required to declare the priest a saint are the endorsement of the congregation's committee of cardinals and bishops and the approval of the pope. Father Damien, the 19th-century Belgian missionary of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary who spent the final 16 years of his life caring for the Hansen's disease patients on the Hawaiian Island of Molokai, was beatified in 1995 in Belgium by Pope John Paul II. In his announcement, Bishop Silva included the name of the Oahu woman, Audrey Toguchi, whose cancer disappeared a decade ago after she began prayers to Father Damien that included pilgrimages to Kalaupapa where the priest worked and died. It was the first time the diocese had made her name public.

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