Pope recognizes virtues of Indian priest among 15 decrees

(June 27, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday recognized the miracles, martyrdom and heroic virtues of 27 men and women, advancing their cause for beatification and canonization, including the heroic virtues of a priest from southern India’s Kerala state. The Pope authorized a total of 15 decrees that include four miracles, three martyrdoms and 8 heroic virtues. The priest from India is Fr. Matthew Kadalikattil known for his great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and a special compassion for the poor and downtrodden, particularly the untouchables. This led him to found the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1911. Fr. Kadalikattil was born in Edapady, Palai Diocese, on April 25, 1872. He was ordained priest on February 17, 1901, and thereafter served in parishes where the confessional and the pulpit became the two main thrusts of his pastoral ministry. He died at Palai on May 23, 1935. His cause of canonization was begun in 1989 and was declared Servant of God. The decrees that Pope Benedict authorized on Monday are regarding candidates from 6 nations - Italy, France, Spain Austria, Poland and India. One decree was regarding a group of 13 Spanish martyrs who were killed in the country’s civil war of 1936.