CEBU church officials will be in Rome next month to follow up on the beatification of Cebuano cleric and former archbishop Teofilo Camomot.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma told reporters that the delegation, which will be led by Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, will get an update from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at Vatican City.
Vidal will also follow up the cause of another Filipino would-be saint, the late Fr. Alfredo Obviar of Lipa, Batangas.
During Camomot’s 28th death anniversary held at his shrine at the Daughter of St. Therese Mother House in Valladolid, Carcar City yesterday, Palma said that once they are able to complete the documentation process, the next step will be to wait for testimonies of miracles attributed to the late bishop.
Interviews
Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili, assistant postulator for Camomot’s cause, told Sun.Star Cebu that before the end of this year, they will be able to complete the diocesan process.
But Balili admitted that it may take time because they are interviewing people who claim they were healed through Camomot’s intercession.
Balili said that as of now, they have three people who said Camomot saved them from death after suffering from a life-threatening illness.
Balili, however, admitted that the testimony of their witnesses will not be enough.
He said the witnesses must survive within five years following their healing before their recovery could be considered miraculous in nature.
Outside interest
To help Camomot’s cause, Balili said that they’ve created a website to attract more testimonies of Camomot’s miraculous works.
He said they received word that Filipino communities outside the country are interested in Camomot’s fame of sanctity.
Through the website, more people who pray to Camomot for various intercessions will be able to help his beatification cause, Balili said.