Cardinal: open Cause of murdered Minister

BY JOHN NEWTON
CARDINAL Keith O’Brien has called for the Church to consider declaring Shahbaz Bhatti a saint.
In a statement on March 2 – the first anniversary of Mr Bhatti’s death – Cardinal O’Brien, Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, expressed his hope that the Church will look into the option of canonising Mr Bhatti.
Appointed federal minister for minorities, a Cabinet position in Pakistan’s government, Shahbaz Bhatti took up the cause of religious freedom, speaking out against persecution and in so doing knowingly put his life in danger.
Noting that the canonisation process normally begins five years after the candidate’s death, Cardinal O’Brien said: “When that time comes I believe the Church should very seriously examine the question of whether Shahbaz Bhatti might be declared a saint.” The cardinal went on to say: “It would be wonderful to think that... Shahbaz Bhatti could become a patron for justice and peace in Pakistan or indeed Asia.” Cardinal O’Brien’s call to examine Mr Bhatti’s worthiness for sainthood was made in a statement to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, which is one of the organisers behind an event in central London tomorrow honouring the Pakistani politician.