The Vatican authorized the opening of the beatification process of Father Cícero Romão Batista (1844-1934), Padim Ciço, informed the Diocese of Crato, in Ceará, this Saturday (20).
The announcement was made by Bishop Magnus Henrique at the end of the mass in the square of Capela do Socorro, in Juazeiro do Norte.
“It is with great joy that I inform you on this historic morning that we have officially received from the Holy See, by order of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, a letter […] dated June 24, 2022. We received authorization for the opening of the beatification process of Father Cícero, who from now on will receive the title of Servant of God”, said the bishop.
In its social networks, the Diocese of Crato said that the beatification process “fulfills the prophecy made by the priest himself: ‘The Church that persecutes me today, tomorrow will take my defense'”.
Charismatic, Father Cícero had an influence on social and political life in the region of Juazeiro do Norte, where today there is a 27-meter-tall statue in his honor, and he is venerated in pilgrimages that attract millions of people a year.
Removed from the Catholic Church after an episode in 1889 that became known as the “miracle of the host”, the priest was pardoned by the Catholic Church in 2015, by decision of Pope Francis, after more than a century of punishment.
According to legend, at the time, a host given by him to a blessed would have turned into blood. The story soon spread throughout the Northeast, initiating pilgrimages of the faithful in search of the “miracle priest”. At the time, the Catholic Church did not recognize the miracle and accused the priest of “faith manipulation”.
After his removal, the priest was prohibited from confessing, preaching and administering the sacraments, as well as celebrating Mass. In 1896, the Holy Office ordered him to leave the city of Juazeiro do Norte, under penalty of being excommunicated.
The punishments continued until 1926, when he was permanently suspended by the Church, which withdrew his orders. Father Cícero died in 1934, at the age of 90.
The Vatican’s pardon paved the way for the opening of a process of beatification and, later, canonization.
