Vatican clarifies Mother Teresa canonization report

Vatican City, Nov 18, 2015 / 11:47 am

Despite rumors that a date has been set for Mother Teresa's canonization, the Holy See Press Office told CNA Wednesday that the cause for sainthood has not concluded, and no date has been officially set.

Fr Ciro Benedettini, vice director at the Holy See Press Office, confirmed to CNA that there is "a project, a study being carried out" on the potential future canonization of Blessed Mother Teresa.

However, he said, there is nothing juridical in place yet, as the setting of a date would require the sainthood cause to be concluded and the Pope to give his consent.

Fr. Benedettini could not confirm whether there would be a meeting of cardinals next month to discuss the cause, as has been reported by Vatican Insider.

Earlier on Nov. 18, the Italian agency AGI had reported that an official date had been set for Mother Teresa's canonization, and that the event would take place in September 2016. Similar rumors have hit the media previously, but each time, the Vatican has made clear that nothing official has yet been released.

Known for her work with the poor in the slums of India, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity. Her canonization cause is currently underway at the Vatican, with the study of possible miracles betting attributed to her intercession.

In September, Father Caetano Rizzi, who works in the Vatican's congregation for saints, told CNA that the Pope is interested in canonizing Mother Teresa during the upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Fr. Federico Lombardi has also commented on the idea of a Year of Mercy canonization, telling CNA in May that while such an arrangement is certainly possible, nothing had been officially arranged at that time.