Pope Leo XIV grants Father Flanagan 'venerable' status, moving sainthood process forward

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The founder of Boys Town is another step closer to sainthood. The Archdiocese of Omaha first put forward Father Edward Flanagan for consideration in 2012. In 2019, the archdiocese submitted its summary of records along with a letter from then-Archbishop George Lucas seeking the status of "venerable" for Father Flanagan. According to the archdiocese release on Monday, Pope Leo XIV has officially bestowed Father Flanagan with the title of "Venerable Servant of God." "In this, the 100th anniversary of Catholic Charities' founding in Omaha, it is fitting that Father Edward Flanagan, an Omaha priest and a model of Christian charity, be recognized by the Holy See," Archbishop McGovern says in Monday's statement. The archbishop said he plans to hold a Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate the declaration "at a later date." The next step in the process is beatification, which typically requires identification of a miracle attributed to the venerable servant. The last step is canonization, which generally occurs after identification of a second miracle. Each step is thoroughly investigated by the Vatican and ultimately granted by the pope. Read the Archobishop's full statement "I am overjoyed at the news that Pope Leo XIV has recognized the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Father Edward J. Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town. With the decree recognizing Father Flanagan's virtues, he receives the title Venerable Servant of God or Venerable. In this, the 100th anniversary of Catholic Charities' founding in Omaha, it is fitting that Father Edward Flanagan, an Omaha priest and a model of Christian charity, be recognized by the Holy See. This is the next step in Father Flanagan's cause for sainthood, which began in 2012. We continue to pray that he will one day be beatified and ultimately declared a saint. In the meantime, may we work to affirm the dignity of every person created in God's image by serving the poor, the abandoned and the vulnerable, especially at-risk youth. May Venerable Father Edward Flanagan's example inspire us to live the Lord's command: 'Love one another, as I have loved you.'" -- Watch breaking news unfold on our livestream. Download the First Alert 6 streaming app to your TV or find us in your favorite streaming platform.