Apr 28, 2009 6:43 pm US/Eastern
Deacon Claims 19th Century Cardinal Worked Miracle
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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British Cardinal John Henry Newman
WBZ
John Sullivan walked easily Tuesday, but in the summer of 2000 he said excruciating back pain kept him from even standing upright.
"I could hardly walk and when I walked it was bent over, one hand on my knee," said Sullivan. "It was agony, it was agony."
What he did about it has the Vatican's attention.
Distraught over his condition and impending surgery, Sullivan watched a program about John Henry Newman, a 19th century British cardinal in the Catholic Church revered for his intellect and work for the poor.
Newman's supporters were seeking evidence of miracles to put him on a path for sainthood.
"I thought what have I got to lose, I'll pray to Newman," said Sullivan.
When Sullivan's back pain struck, he was two years into a four year program to become ordained as a deacon at his church. It meant the world to him, so that's what he prayed for.
"I'll never forget that prayer: please Cardinal Newman, allow me to walk again and go back to classes. Following morning I woke up, no pain. Pain was all gone."
Two years -- and one more prayer to Cardinal Newman later -- Sullivan was ordained a deacon.
Asked if he believes something miraculous happened, Sullivan said, "Oh, yeah."
Sullivan contacted the priests he saw on television who were seeking evidence of miracles in the name of John Henry Newman. They've since presented his case for examination.
According to reports in the British Press, Sullivan's so-called miracle has been studied and accepted by medical and theological panels at the Vatican.
Evidence of one miracle would allow Pope Benedict XVI to beatify Newman. Evidence of a second miracle would allow Benedict to canonize Newman, making him a saint.
There was no comment Tuesday from the Boston Archdiocese or the hospital where Sullivan was treated.
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