Beatification

Chronicles of the process

Over 60 years after the death of the Lübeck Martyrs Hamburg's Archbishop Dr. Werner Thissen initiated the process of beatification of the three Catholic chaplains.

May the 10th, 2004, roman lawyer Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, an expert in beatification matters, is nominated as process' attorney.

The process starts November 2004 by petitioning officially and by adjuration of the court. In the same month, the first session of the diocesan process of beatification takes place in Hamburg: Witnesses are questioned, the written records of the chaplains are scanned. The material should shed light on the theological orientation and their moral conduct. But what is cruidicial are the circumstances of their prosecution and conviction. Is has to be prooved that the three chaplains died for their faith. The process last just under one year.

The first part of the process ist closed. During a service at the day of death of the Lübeck Martyrs, November the 10th 2005, Archbishop Dr. Werner Thissen hands over the document folders to roman lawyer Dr. Andrea Ambrosi. The attorney appears for the process in the Vatican. The "Dossier Lübeck Martyrs" contains 2110 pages. Now, the second part of the process starts under the rule of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome.

Good news from Rome: The Relator general, who prepares the case files, consided the documents to be sufficient. His statement is forwardet to the Congregation's menbers. There are no objections expected in the Theological Commission who has to judge now.

Mai 2010, the last but one step impends. The Plenaria, i.e. the Genaral Assembly of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, is voting on the case of the Lübeck chaplains positively.

The Pope confirms the case. The date of the ceremony of beatification ist scheduled on June 2011.