Lisbon, Portugal, Feb 21, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The EFE news agency is reporting that the Diocese of Leiria-Fatima has sent the final documents for the canonization of Jacinta and Francisco Marto to the Vatican.
“I can confirm that the so-called ‘Positio,’ the final document for the canonization of the two shepherd children, has been sent,” said Bishop Serafim Ferreira e Silva during a Mass dedicated to the visionaries of Our Lady of Fatima.
He also said the Portuguese bishops are hopeful that “Pope John Paul II can proclaim their canonization and recommend Blesseds Jacinta and Francisco Marto for public veneration by the entire Catholic world.”
Bishop Ferreira e Silva explained that the document sent to the Vatican includes the opinions of doctors, theologians and bishops regarding the second miracle attributed to the intercession of the children.