Kapaun closer to sainthood
Staff writer
Pilsen native Emil Kapaun moved another step up the ladder to canonization Monday with word that Pope Francis had decreed him “Venerable.”
Stages of canonization are Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed, and Saint.
“The publication of the decree opens the door for the investigation of alleged miracles needed as supernatural evidence to further the cause,” the Wichita diocese announced. “One miracle will need to be approved for beatification. A second approved miracle, occurring after the beatification itself, will be needed for canonization as a saint.”
Kapaun was named “Venerable” based on his “offering of life.”
“We’re just blessed to have Father Kapaun moving to the next level, being named ‘Venerable,’” diocese communications director Matthew Viner said. “We’re encouraged for the people of the Marion area and the Pilsen community that someone can be named ‘Venerable’ from the state of Kansas.”
The diocese encouraged people to continue to share Kapaun’s story.
“Now, as much as ever, our work is to continue to pray and share Venerable Kapaun’s story,” the diocese posted on its website. “We ask him to intercede for us, that we all may follow his example of hope, courage, and selfless sacrifice for God and the good of those around us.”
Kapaun was born April 20, 1916, in Pilsen, and ordained June 9, 1940.
He served his home parish and as an Army chaplain in Herington before being granted permission to serve full time as a chaplain in 1944.
Kapaun served in World War II and the Korean War.
He and others in his unit were taken prisoner during the Battle of Unsan and interned at a Chinese prison camp in North Korea, where he tended to his fellow prisoners’ needs and regularly stole food for other prisoners.
Months of malnutrition later, while he suffered from pneumonia, Kapaun was taken to what prisoners called “the death house.” He died May 23, 1951.
His remains were identified four years ago, and his body was taken to the Wichita diocese, then to St. John’s Church in Pilsen for two days’ visitation and a Mass before being returned to Wichita, where he was entombed.
Hundreds of people came to Pilsen for Kapaun’s service.