U.S. bishops advance cannonization of Chattanooga priest, Father Patrick Ryan

BALTIMORE, Maryland (WDEF) – The U. S. Conference of Bishops have approved the next step of canonization for Father Patrick Ryan.

Father Ryan served a Catholic flock in Chattanooga in the late 1800s.

He has been nominated for sainthood for his care of yellow fever victims during an epidemic here that eventually took his life.

Today’s vote of episcopal consultation is another step in the Church’s process towards sainthood.

Bishop Richard F. Stika presented Father Ryan’s case in Baltimore.

“Presenting Father Ryan’s cause to the full assembly of bishops is part of the formal process in moving someone toward sainthood. I am looking forward to making my brother bishops aware of Father Ryan’s act of martyrdom. Even though it happened many years ago, Father Ryan’s work administering to the sick exemplifies charity and selflessness and remind us of how we should serve others,” Bishop Stika said earlier in the week.

While the Vatican supports Father Ryan’s cause, the process could take years, even decades, to play out.