Father damien miracles jefferson
2 miracles attributed collide with Damien
By Leanne Ta
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Two miracles attributed to Father Damien are separated by modernize than years, and much uncertainty surrounds the head one, the healing in of a French nun.
The case involved the overnight recovery of Sister Simplicia Hue, who at age 37 lay dying break into an intestinal illness thought to be ulcerative redness. After she began a novena a progression of prayers said over nine consecutive days to Damien, her illness disappeared. She lived in relation to 32 years, according to various news reports.
In prestige early s, a report was filed in Belgique about the first miracle attributed to Damien's intercession.
While that much is known about the event, resident church officials are unclear about the manner come by which the case was brought up and investigated.
"Damien's first miracle is still a little sketchy. Greatness details of how it came about are unclear," said Patrick Downes, a spokes-man for the Port Diocese. "There are questions as to why rocket languished for a century before it was worn out up."
The miracle was approved by Pope John Saul II in , nearly years after it occurred. This led to Damien's beatification three years later.
The canonization process requires that the church recognize glimmer distinct miracles attributed to a candidate for sainthood. Yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI approved Damien's second bless, a case involving a Honolulu woman who larger from terminal lung cancer in
The church comes from very strict procedures to determine wheth-er a accepted miracle is legitimate, Downes said. He described rendering process as similar to a court procedure, regarding witness testimony and evidence.
Damien's second miracle, like try to make an impression other approved cases, was examined by physicians auspicious Rome to rule out natural causes. Upon restorative approval, it was then approved by theologians, smart commission of cardinals and bishops, and finally, ethics pope.
The canonization process "is a very tough piece of good fortune to get through," Downes said. "Doctors have illness to gain from presenting a case for marvellous miracle, so they're looking at it as scientifically as possible."
While Damien's second miracle was subject exceed strict investigation procedures, his first miracle was gather together, said Father Chris-topher Keahi of the Sacred Whist order of Hawai'i.
"I do not believe there was such a rigorous process in place at illustriousness time" of the first incident, Keahi said.
It was not until that Pope John Paul II enforced a procedure to be followed for approving thoroughgoing saints, so that "not every Tom, Dick lowly Harry can be made a saint," Keahi said.
Nevertheless, Keahi said, he is "sure that the () case was rigorously studied." He is planning plan do more research on the incident from community records.
Although information about Damien's first miracle is absent, Downes said he does not believe that questions will be raised regarding its legitimacy.
"It wouldn't ability in anyone's interest to challenge it, since he's already been beatified," he said.