The Diocese of Laoag has requested the faithful for testimonies about Niña Ruiz-Abad, who is being pushed for sainthood. Bishop Renato Mayugba signed the edict, saying it was in response to a petition from the 'God First Association,' which called for the opening of Abad's cause.' According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website, the edict was published on Aug. 16, exactly 30 years since the death of the 13-year-old Filipino girl, whose life was devoted to the Eucharist. It said the edict was read during Sunday Masses in all the parishes of the diocese, asking the people to provide information 'of any kind,' whether in favor or contrary to the opening of the diocesan inquiry. '…I invite all of the faithful to provide me useful information regarding the said cause,' Mayugba wrote. In July, the CBCP expressed support for the introduction of Abad's cause. The Catholic prelate will assess the merits of testimonies before deciding whether to accept the petition or not. If the decision is affirmative, the head of the Laoag diocese will request the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints for the nihil obstat, paving the way for the official diocesan investigation on Abad's life. Nihil obstat is a phrase traditionally used by Catholic Church authorities to formally declare that there is no objection to the publication of a book, or to some other proposed action. The documentation from the diocesan inquiry will be sent to the congregation for saints' causes, which will review the gathered information. If the Vatican adheres to the findings of the diocesan tribunal, it issues the 'Decree of Validity.' A Relator will then be appointed to guide the Postulator in the writing of the 'Positio', the official report of the Cause. The writing, in the majority of cases, will take years. This report will be reviewed by Vatican theologians and cardinals. Once approved, it is presented to Pope Francis for the 'Decree of Heroic Virtues.' Only then will Abad become 'Venerable.' The next steps would involve beatification and canonization, both of which require proof of miracles attributed to her intercession.
Source: Philippines News Agency
