Argentine Helped to Plan World Youth Days
The Diocese of Rome appealed for testimonies about the holiness of Cardinal Eduardo Pironio who, as president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, planned the first World Youth Days.
An edict, published in today's Italian edition of L'Osservatore Romano and signed by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar for Rome, stated that, "with the passing of the years," the Argentine cardinal's "fame for holiness" has increased, so there has been a formal request "to begin the cause for beatification and canonization of the Servant of God."
Cardinal Pironio died Feb. 5, 1998, in Rome. He was 77.
The edict requests that "if any writing that has the Servant of God as author, [and] has not already been handed in to the postulation of the cause," it should be sent to the diocesan tribunal of the Vicariate of Rome. The edict noted that printed works have already been collected.
Those who wish to keep originals of the cardinal's writings may send authenticated copies.
The diocese also asks the faithful to communicate to the tribunal "all news from which may be gathered elements favorable or contrary to the fame for holiness of the Servant of God."
It was also established that the edict be published in the curia of La Plata, Argentina, and in that diocese's review.
Key posts
Eduardo Pironio was born Dec. 3, 1920. He played an important part in Church history during the last quarter of the 20th century.
He organized the World Youth Days from the time John Paul II appointed him president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, in April 1984.
Prior to this appointment, the cardinal had been prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life, which oversees the Church's religious and consecrated persons.
Pope Paul VI elevated Archbishop Pironio to cardinal on May 24, 1976, after he had worked for many years in the Latin American bishops' council, first as secretary and later as president. In Argentina, he was bishop of Mar del Plata.
ZEN - Zenit (28. juni 2005)