ON THE commemoration of the 106th birthday of the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, Roman Catholic Church officials announced the completion of the dissertation on his life and works, also known as “positio.”
The positio which was submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome brings the process of Camomot’s beatification another step closer.
Fr. Samson Silloriquez, OAR, the Rome-based postulator for Camomot’s cause, made the report during the pontifical mass for the late archbishop held at the newly-inaugurated St. Teresa’s Chapel in Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City.
“As far as the human preparation is concerned, we are happy to inform you that we have completed the positio. It is already presented to the Vatican and Vatican will study and get a final say to that,” Silloriquez said.
He added that if everything goes well, Camomot will be recognized for his heroic virtue and sanctity of life and will be given the title of “Venerable,” from his current status as “Servant of God,” the first step towards sainthood.
Once Camomot is recognized as “Venerable” by the Church, a genuine miracle will be needed as a next step towards beatification.
To declare him a saint, campaigners for Camomot’s cause would have to show proof of a second miracle that can be attributed to Camomot, Silloriquez explained.
Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma, who presided over the pontifical mass on Camomot’s birthday, urged the faithful to pray for the late archbishop’s speedy run to sainthood.
“When is this (Camomot’s canonization)? As what Fr. Sammy (Silloriquez) said, it takes time. Depende lang kay Lord,” he said.
Aside from celebrating Camomot’s birthday, Palma and members of the Daughters of Saint Teresa also inaugurated the new St. Teresa’s Chapel which was inspired by and dedicated to Camomot and St. Teresa de Avila, the order’s patron saint.
Sister Ma. Louella Grace Buscato, superior general of the Daughters of St. Teresa, said the chapel, which broke ground on Sept. 27, 2019 during Camomot’s death anniversary, took less than one year to construct.
Buscato said a huge benefactor, who wanted to remain anonymous, and other donors provided the funds for the construction.
The chapel is open to the public.
Buscato planned to ask permission from the Archdiocese of Cebu to have masses held there during weekends.