Hold the Champagne

Contrary to quickly-spread reports making the rounds of the 'net, the beatification of John Henry Newman is not imminent, secundum CNS Rome:

[In an interview with L'Osservatore Romano, Vatican saint czar] Cardinal [Jose] Saraiva Martins also mentioned the sainthood cause of Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th-century English philosopher, theologian and spiritual writer.

In 2006, the Vatican began studying evidence of an alleged miraculous cure in the Archdiocese of Boston attributed to Cardinal Newman’s intercession. That raised expectations, but to date there’s been no news.

Cardinal Saraiva Martins didn’t make any promises, but he said: “Personally, I hope this beatification can occur within a short time because it would be very important at this moment for the path of ecumenism.”

Cardinal Saraiva Martins also indicated that the Vatican was close to finishing the beatification process for Louis Martin and Azelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, “The Little Flower.” They are among the very few Catholic married couples being considered for sainthood.

Also coming from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints: new guidelines encouraging "more precision" in the opening of causes by local churches.

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