9 Vatican Theologians Unanimously Affirm Priest's Cause for Sainthood

Nine Vatican theologians voted unanimously to advance the canonization cause of Servant of God Father Joseph Walijewski, a missionary priest from the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The panel examined the positio, the formal document detailing his life, heroic virtue, reputation for holiness, and intercessory power. Diocese of La Crosse Bishop Gerard W. Battersby announced the decision, which arrived on November 6.

“This marks a significant milestone and an important step forward in the advancement of his cause,” Battersby said in an announcement. “While additional steps remain, the favorable vote of the Theological Congress represents a noteworthy affirmation and source of encouragement.”

9 Vatican Theologians Unanimously Affirm Priest's Cause for Sainthood — Photo: wqow.com

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1924 to poor Polish immigrants, Walijewski sold newspapers as a child and promised God he would serve in Latin America if ordained. He was ordained a priest in 1950, as wqow.com reported.

His missionary work took him to Bolivia, where he built a jungle parish, a rectory, and a school that later became part of Santa Cruz. He subsequently moved to Peru to serve the poor and operate an orphanage. In 1985, he established Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II in Lurín, Peru, which remains a mission of the Diocese of La Crosse today, according to wqow.com.

Vatican theologians affirm Cause for Canonization for longtime Diocese of La Crosse missionary — WXOW News 19

Walijewski passed away in 2006 in Lima, Peru. In 2013, Bishop Emeritus William Callahan announced the opening of the cause for canonization, and the diocese completed its own local investigation running from 2013 to 2018 before forwarding its findings to Rome.

Following the unanimous vote by the nine members of the Theological Congress of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the positio moves to the dicastery’s cardinals and bishops. They will decide whether to recommend the cause favorably to the pope. If they do so, it would be up to the pope to decide whether to beatify him and grant him the title of venerable.

“We give thanks to God, whose grace was evident in Father Joe’s priestly ministry and continues to bear fruit today through the lives he touched and the mission he inspired,” Battersby said. “I invite the faithful to continue praying for the successful advancement of the Cause according to God’s holy will.”