VATICAN - Pope permits the opening of the Cause for Beatification of Sor Lucia dos Santos

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy See Press Office issued the following communication, February 13: This evening in the cathedral of Coimbra, Portugal, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins C.M.F., president of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presided at a Mass marking the third anniversary of the death of Sister Lucia dos Santos. Following the ceremony he announced that the Holy Father Benedict XVI, benevolently accepting a request presented by Bishop Albino Mamede Cleto of Coimbra and shared by many bishops and faithful throughout the world, has waived the five-year waiting period established by canonical norms (art. 9 of "Normae servandae") and granted that, just three years after the death of Sister Lucia (known to the world as one of the three seers of Fatima), the diocesan stage of the cause for her beatification may begin". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/2/2008; righe 11, parole 136)