Thursday, November 05, 2009

Pope John Paul's legacy continues to touch people, cardinal says


Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, speaks during the presentation of a new book on Pope John Paul II at St. Stanislaus Church in Rome Nov. 4. At left is Msgr. Slawomir Oder, postulator for Pope John Paul's sainthood cause. (CNS/Paul Haring)

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

ROME (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II lives on "because he has remained in people's hearts," said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

"The light of his teaching and example was not extinguished with his death," the cardinal said during a conference to present a new book on the late pope's legacy.

Msgr. Slawomir Oder, postulator of Pope John Paul's sainthood cause, also spoke at the conference Nov. 4 at the parish of Rome's Polish community.

Asked about a date for the beatification of the pope, who died in 2005, Msgr. Oder said the Congregation for Saints' Causes is studying the case and he could not guess when they will finish.

"I can tell you that we are following all of the procedures foreseen for these cases. Everything is moving at a natural rhythm. I understand many people want this to happen sooner, but as Pope Benedict told us: 'Do it quickly, but do it well.' And this is what we are doing," Msgr. Oder said.

Rome's mayor, Gianni Alemanno, told reporters in late October that he expects the beatification to take place in Rome in 2010, and he said the city government would work with the Vatican to facilitate the visit of a massive group of people expected to come for the ceremony.
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