News-Info-Alerts

Re: Korean War POW Sainthood Explored

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: February 11, 2003

"Group works to achieve sainthood for Emil Kapaun

The Catholic priest from Kansas died in 1951 in a North Korean prisoner of war camp.
BY STAN FINGER - The Wichita Eagle


For the first time, the Catholic Diocese of Wichita has formed a task force to explore whether a native of the diocese should be named a saint.

The task force will compile a comprehensive report on the Rev. Emil Kapaun of Pilsen, who is revered by his fellow soldiers for the courage and compassion he displayed before his death in 1951 in a North Korean prisoner of war camp.

That report will then be sent to the Vatican for review.

A task force exploring a cause for canonization "is very rare," acknowledged the Rev. John Hotze, judicial vicar for the Wichita Diocese and head of the task force.

The title "saint" is given to people who led holy and extraordinary lives. In ancient times, saints were declared by public acclaim. The Catholic Church later established a procedure to determine whether a person is worthy of the title.

A precise number of saints does not exist, but the total tops 10,000.

Only two saints were born in America: Katharine Drexel, a Philadelphia socialite who took a vow of poverty and used her fortune to help poor people, and Elizabeth Ann Seton, who founded the religious order Sisters of Charity.

"More saints are named for (forming) religious orders," Hotze said. "They (the orders) have people and time they can devote to promoting the cause."

Besides sainthood, Kapaun may earn another lofty honor: the Medal of Honor.

U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt asked the Army to consider Kapaun for the honor in May 2001. Paperwork is still being filed.

Kapaun's military honors include the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Service Cross.

The Roman Catholic Church named him a Servant of God in 1993, the first step toward possible canonization. The diocesan task force, appointed by Bishop Thomas Olmsted, will now examine whether Kapaun lived a virtuous life and had a reputation for sanctity and for performing wonders.

"We're required by Rome to collect anything that he wrote, and look for anything that would prohibit his steps to holiness," Hotze said.

If the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of the Saints deems that Kapaun lived a virtuous life, he would be named "venerable."

Next comes beatification, which requires at least one verified physical miracle attributed to Kapaun after his death -- unless Kapaun is considered a martyr. In that event, he would automatically be beatified.

To be named a saint, one more verified physical miracle must be attributed to Kapaun.

The journey toward sainthood has historically moved at a glacial pace in the Catholic Church. But Pope John Paul II has canonized 465 saints during his nearly 25-year papacy, far more than any other pope.

One issue for the Vatican, Hotze said, is whether Kapaun should be considered a martyr. Soldiers imprisoned with Kapaun said the North Koreans feared and hated the chaplain because he was able to maintain morale and dignity in the camp through his selfless service to the soldiers and open resistance to Communist indoctrination.

The North Koreans were afraid to punish Kapaun too severely for fear of inciting a revolt. As he was recuperating from pneumonia and other ailments in May 1951, however, prison camp guards Kapaun to the camp "hospital" -- which fellow prisoners say was nothing more than a hut where people were taken to die.

Kapaun knew the place well because he would sneak inside to bathe the bodies and wash the garments of emaciated men housed there.

"Tell the bishop I died a happy death," Kapaun said as he was carried away.

Once Kapaun was taken to the hut, no prisoners saw him alive again.

Hotze said supporters look at Kapaun as a martyr because he was a spiritual leader who died because he was deprived of medical care.

The task force will also investigate reports of possible miracles attributed to Kapaun.

"People have prayed for Father Kapaun's intercession and good things have happened, but none have been confirmed," Hotze said. "There are things we will check out -- definitely."

A subcommittee of the task force will publish a newsletter on the cause's progress, as well as report "favors received" from praying for Kapaun's intercession.

Another subcommittee will raise money for the cause. The groups promoting a canonization must pay the expenses associated with it, Hotze said, including the salary of the Vatican official assigned to investigate the case. The cost depends on how long the canonization effort takes.

A new book on Kapaun's life and works has been completed, though no publisher has been found. Hotze has read the manuscript and calls it "an easier read" than either of the earlier books written about Kapaun. That, he said, should help it appeal to many people.

Rose Mary Neuwirth, a Pilsen resident who has championed Kapaun's cause and was named to the task force, said she is thrilled by this latest step.

"I just think it's awesome," she said. "It's going to be a lot of hard work."

Reach Stan Finger at 268-6437 or sfinger@wichitaeagle.com. "