The Catholic Church began a special investigation into the life of Kansas priest Emil Kapaun who died as a Korean War hero and could be named a saint. A ceremony at a tiny church in Pilsen, Kansas, where Kapaun was raised and began his priesthood, will reach all the way to Rome.
With a representative from the Vatican on hand, Catholic Church leaders officially began the same process for sainthood that is now considering Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.
"So we investigate his entire life from the point of birth to the point of death to see if that sanctity was maintained, to see if we can honestly say he's with God in heaven,” said Reverend John Hotze with the Catholic Diocese of Wichita.
Many Kansans only know Emil Kapaun from the Wichita high school that bears his name. He became a priest in 1940, serving as an army chaplain in World War II and the Korean War, where he won a medal for heroism. Soon after, he was taken prisoner and risked his life countless times to save his fellow soldiers.
"Working to provide food and water, bathing the sick, ministering to the dying, saying prayers, preaching hope,” said Bishop Michael Jackels with the Catholic Diocese of Wichita.
Emil Kapaun died at a prison camp at the young age of 35. There is still debate over whether he died of starvation or pneumonia and the search continues to this day for his unmarked grave.
But some of the soldiers he helped to survive will testify to his sainthood; men of all faiths -- some not religious at all.
"I suppose he'd be very honored, and then he'd say, 'aw shucks,’” said Eugene and Helen Kapaun, Emil’s brother and sister-in-law.
The church must also verify at least two miracles by Emil Kapaun and the process can take years. But if he is named a saint, Kapaun would make history as one of the few American-born.
Emil Kapaun: a Kansas farm boy to the end whose humble roots inspired the highest calling. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer
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