Chicago, Ill., May 12, 2018 / 14:23 pm
The first African American priest in the U.S. could become the country's first African American saint as his cause took another step forward this week.
A document summarizing the life, virtue, and alleged miracles of Servant of God Fr. Augustus Tolton, known as the positio, was unanimously approved as historically correct by a committee of six Vatican officials this week, clearing the way for the priest's cause for canonization to continue moving forward.
Bishop Joseph N. Perry, auxiliary bishop of Chicago and diocesan postulator for the Tolton cause, called the approval a "very positive sign going forward" and noted its significance for the African American Catholic Community.
"Fr. Tolton lived during a particularly tumultuous time in American history especially for race relations," Perry said in a statement.