Bishop O'Connell speaks on canonizations
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
A news segment that aired Easter Sunday on CBS3 Philly featured an interview with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., highlighting the anticipation behind the canonization of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II, who shall be declared saints April 27 by Pope Francis in the first double-canonization of popes in the history of the Church.
The interview was conducted by Pat Ciarrocchi, a co-anchor with CBS3 Eyewitness News on KYW-TV. Other segments featuring Bishop O’Connell are expected to air soon.
In the interview, Bishop O’Connell reflected on Pope John Paul II’s funeral Mass nine years ago, when the crowds that filled St. Peter’s Square were shouting that the Pope should immediately be declared a saint.
“They were really reacting to the whole of his life and the whole of his papacy,” Bishop O’Connell said. “When I watched the unfolding of the events in Rome, I said, ‘There is the acclamation of the people.’ In his presence, there was just a feeling. You just knew there was something godly about him, something very holy about Pope John Paul II. I wasn’t surprised at all when his canonization moved forward so quickly.”
Ciarrochhi reported that Pope John XXIII was “known for his groundbreaking modernization of the Church, convening Vatican II in the early ’60s. ” She noted that it was Pope John Paul II who ultimately led the implementation of the council’s reforms.
“Pope John XXIII was kind of renowned for his pastoral sense,” Bishop O’ Connell shared. “He was a Church diplomat for so many years. And Pope John Paul II was regarded so well for his intellect. It was the convening of the pastoral and the intellectual … that I think brought them together.”
The interview points out how Blessed Pope John Paul II has two miracles accredited to his intercession, a requirement for sainthood, while Pope John XXIII still only has one but Pope Francis has “suspended the requirement” for a second.
Bishop O’ Connell said. “Here are two great men, imperfect men, but great men who overcame such great challenges and did a great deal to solidify, to unify and to bring the Church forward.”
The segment said about five million people are expected to visit the Vatican to witness the canonizations.
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A news segment that aired Easter Sunday on CBS3 Philly featured an interview with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., highlighting the anticipation behind the canonization of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II, who shall be declared saints April 27 by Pope Francis in the first double-canonization of popes in the history of the Church.
The interview was conducted by Pat Ciarrocchi, a co-anchor with CBS3 Eyewitness News on KYW-TV. Other segments featuring Bishop O’Connell are expected to air soon.
In the interview, Bishop O’Connell reflected on Pope John Paul II’s funeral Mass nine years ago, when the crowds that filled St. Peter’s Square were shouting that the Pope should immediately be declared a saint.
“They were really reacting to the whole of his life and the whole of his papacy,” Bishop O’Connell said. “When I watched the unfolding of the events in Rome, I said, ‘There is the acclamation of the people.’ In his presence, there was just a feeling. You just knew there was something godly about him, something very holy about Pope John Paul II. I wasn’t surprised at all when his canonization moved forward so quickly.”
Ciarrochhi reported that Pope John XXIII was “known for his groundbreaking modernization of the Church, convening Vatican II in the early ’60s. ” She noted that it was Pope John Paul II who ultimately led the implementation of the council’s reforms.
“Pope John XXIII was kind of renowned for his pastoral sense,” Bishop O’ Connell shared. “He was a Church diplomat for so many years. And Pope John Paul II was regarded so well for his intellect. It was the convening of the pastoral and the intellectual … that I think brought them together.”
The interview points out how Blessed Pope John Paul II has two miracles accredited to his intercession, a requirement for sainthood, while Pope John XXIII still only has one but Pope Francis has “suspended the requirement” for a second.
Bishop O’ Connell said. “Here are two great men, imperfect men, but great men who overcame such great challenges and did a great deal to solidify, to unify and to bring the Church forward.”
The segment said about five million people are expected to visit the Vatican to witness the canonizations.
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