CCI Canonization Committee to
intensify campaign
The CCI Canonization Committee (CCI-CC)
formed at the Manila Conference in October 2012 met in Trichur, Kerala on the
16th October 2013.
The members reflected on why CCI wants
to promote the cause of canonization of Cardinal Cardijn. They felt that promoting
Cardijn's canonization is another way of promoting his
life and work.
It is also a way of renewing our
awareness of his lifelong pre-occupation with workers, particularly young
workers around the world. Canonizing Cardijn is not to put up statues of
Cardijn in a corner of a parish church or to add him in the lengthy list of
saints.
The members felt that it is a
means to promote Cardijn’s vision, spirituality and methodology particularly
among the young people.
The members remembered the
martyrs of the YCW who have not been given due recognition and reflected on the
need to work for the world to know their contribution. For instance, Fernand
Tonnet and Paul Garcet, the first YCWrs died in a Nazi concentration camp in
1945.
However, some of those associated
with the YCW and Cardijn have already been beatified. For instance Blessed
Gabriele Maria Allegra was a Chaplain in a YCW group in Singapore. The Jesuit
Priest Blessed Miguel Pro who was martyred by a firing squad on
23 November 1927 in Mexico City, Mexico attended the foundation national
conference of the JOC (YCW) in Belgium in 1925.
French YCW leader Marcel Callo
has already been beatified. Founder of French YCW Fr George Guerin –
beatification process is already under way.
The team noted that with surprise
that Cardijn who inspired these people has not yet been canonized. The
Committee therefore decided to intensify the campaign.
The members of the CCI-CC
expressed their happiness at the launch of the Canonization process in
Cardijn’s home diocese by Father Felix Van Meerbergen, a former YCW. This
itself is the first achievement of the Manila resolution wherein the CCI
decided to promote the cause of canonization. The Archbishop of
Mallines-Brussels and the bishops in Belgium are also supportive of the move.
It was decided to support the
Canonization Committee in Belgium by providing them with testimonies of those
who have known or influenced by Cardijn. CCI members are requested to record
the testimonies in a 3 to 5 minutes video format and upload it on YouTube and
send the link. Print format testimonies may also be sent.
Miracles through the intercession
of Cardijn will also be collected and presented to the Canonization Committee
in Belgium.
Father Servatius, Convenor of the
CCI-CC will meet Father Felix Van Meerbergen and the Archbishop of
Mallines-Brussels in Belgium this November to express the support and
solidarity of CCI in their efforts.
Father Reid Fernandes, CCI International
Chaplain from Sri Lanka, CCI-CC Convenor Father Servatius and members Joseph
Arokyaswamy and Ms Elizabeth Martin attended besides the CCI International
Secretary General M. J. Ruben.
Xavier Antony (President), Ms
Glynis Joseph (Secretary), Rupert Rathnaraj (Treasurer), Bhagyanathan and Jomon Cherussery (Collaborator) from
the CCI India national team attended as special invitees.
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