Kochi, Feb. 22 -- In an important development in the Catholic Church's canonisation process, Pope Leo XIV has authorised the promulgation of a decree recognising the heroic virtues of Kerala-born Capuchin priest Father Theophane.
The decree was issued by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and published with the Pope's approval at the Vatican. With this recognition, Father Theophane has been declared "Venerable," a significant stage in the path toward beatification and eventual sainthood.
Born Michael on July 20, 1913, in Kottapuram, he joined the minor seminary of the Verapoly Archdiocese in 1929. Drawn by the spirituality and missionary zeal of Francis of Assisi, he later entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin on October 31, 1933...