Naturalized Filipino priest behind Knights of Columbus could be next Filipino saint

A naturalized priest could soon be the next Filipino saint, after efforts for his beatification were intensified, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Thursday.

 

The CBCP news site said a national executive committee had been created to boost the promotion of the cause of Fr. George Willmann.

 

“We hope all these will finally lead to the fulfillment of the cause and that Fr. Willmann will eventually be declared a Saint,” said Jose Reyes Jr., chairman of the Knights of Columbus Fr. George J. Willmann Charities Inc., and a member of the national executive committee for the Cause of Fr. Willmann.
 

Presently, the Philippines has two saints - Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod.

 

Reyes said beatification was a tedious process that requires consistent effort from people who know about Willmann’s work.  A person first needs to be beatified before he is canonized to become a saint.

 

The national executive committee for Willmann's cause is headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and CBCP media director Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III.

 

Reyes said the national executive committee would promote Willmann's cause along with the KC foundations and the insurance arm of the Knights of Columbus – the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association in the Philippines, Inc.

 

Willmann, who is credited for establishing the Knights of Columbus and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, became a naturalized Filipino on July 1, 1975.

 

He was honored for his “virtuous acts, compassionate leadership and for his kind and loving service to the Filipino people.”

 

“Fr. Willmann has continuously resided in the Philippines since 1936 and during such period has shared with Filipinos his heroic virtues, ideals and aspirations. He dedicated his life in social work and humanitarian services to this country, to the Filipino people,” Reyes said. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News