Admirers still urging sainthood for chaplain killed on 9/11 (Fr. Mychal Judge)
Some of his many admirers point to Judge a gay man who devoted himself to ministering to vulnerable populations such as the homeless or people with HIV/AIDS as a reason for the U.S. Catholic Church to be more welcoming to LGBTQ people.
And some argue passionately that Judge should be considered for sainthood, with a new initiative to be launched in the coming days. Though Judges religious order has not embraced that cause, a Rome-based priest who helps the Vatican investigate possible candidates for canonization is urging Judges supporters not to give up the effort.
Judge died in the line of duty two decades ago after hurrying with firefighter colleagues to the burning World Trade Center. As he prayed in the north towers lobby for the rescuers and victims, the 68-year-old priest was crushed by debris from the falling south tower.
Mychal Judge shows us that you can be gay and holy, said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest who advocates for greater LGBTQ inclusion in the church.
https://www.woodtv.com/news/national/admirers-still-urging-sainthood-for-chaplain-killed-on-9-11/
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)I read that someone who jumped from the tower landed on him.
Yet over the years they referred to that person as 'debris'.
CBHagman
(17,134 posts)...which isn't surprising, considering the chaos of that day. A Franciscan I know who knew Father Mychal seemed to confirm the story of falling debris, but we've only talked about it once and that a long time ago.
hlthe2b
(106,237 posts)I'm all for the Vatican giving him sainthood... While it doesn't mean much for many of us, it is something that is so meaningful for so many Catholics and Father Judge certainly was the epitome of that on 911.
Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)"It is more important to be a saint than to be called a saint". Fr Judge is, IMO, a saint. Whether or not he is officially canonized isn't so significant.
no_hypocrisy
(48,687 posts)Fr. Judge counseled Patrolman Steven D. McDonald who later forgave the youth who shot and paralyzed him. McDonald was in a wheelchair, couldn't breathe without a machine, and died early because of his injuries. Judge appealed to McDonald to have mercy based upon the principles of Jesus and the Church.