Cardinal Arinze Urges Fervent Prayers for Miracle to Canonise Blessed Tansi

By Olisemeka Obeche

ONITSHA, Anambra — His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze has urged Catholics in Nigeria, particularly the faithful across Igboland, to intensify prayers for the miracle needed to pave the way for the canonisation of Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi as a saint.

Cardinal Arinze, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, made the call during his pastoral visit to St John the Baptist Parish, Odoakpu, Onitsha, where he celebrated Mass for the Feast of the Assumption.

The 93-year-old Nigerian cardinal dismissed claims that Vatican opposition was responsible for the delay in Blessed Tansi’s canonisation, explaining that the process is governed by strict ecclesiastical requirements and is rarely swift.

According to him, Blessed Tansi, Nigeria’s first beatified son, needs one more verified miracle before the Church can proceed with his canonisation.

“The Church requires two verified miracles for canonisation. The first has happened when a woman was miraculously healed from terminal stomach cancer after touching his coffin in 1986. That secured his beatification in 1998. The second miracle has not yet been confirmed, and we should pray for it to happen very soon,” Cardinal Arinze said.

He urged the faithful to pray fervently for the required miracle, stressing that the waiting period for canonisation is not unusual in the history of the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Arinze cited several saints whose canonisation took centuries after their deaths. Joan of Arc, he noted, was canonised in 1920, 489 years after her death in 1431, while Margaret of Hungary waited 673 years. He also cited Herman Joseph, who was canonised 717 years after his death, and St Bede, whose canonisation came more than 1,100 years after his death.

Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi, a Trappist monk renowned for his austere life and missionary work across eastern Nigeria, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998. He also baptised Cardinal Arinze in 1941.

Arinze dismisses fears over African pope

Cardinal Arinze, who was considered papabile during the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, also dismissed claims that the Vatican has been biased against the emergence of an African pope.

He said there was no reason to lose hope, adding that an African pope could emerge in the future.

Cardinal Arinze urged Nigerian clergy and laity to remain committed to the Catholic faith, noting the growing influence of Africans in the global Church.

“The contribution of blacks, especially Nigerian clergy, to the Church can no longer be ignored,” he said, urging local churches to strengthen the formation of young Catholics and prepare them for greater responsibilities.

He also expressed confidence in the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, praising the pontiff for steering the Church in the right direction and expressing hope that he would eventually visit Nigeria.

“When he was a monsignor, he had visited Nigeria twice, and we are hopeful that someday he will visit Nigeria again as Pope,” he said. ‘Do not lose hope’

Addressing the country’s economic and political challenges, Cardinal Arinze urged Nigerians not to abandon hope.

“I am aware that there is hardship in Nigeria and things are expensive and beyond the reach of common people, but that will not deter us from holding fast to our faith in a better future,” he said.

Earlier, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Ike Nwanegbo (PhD), described the cardinal’s visit as historic for St John the Baptist Parish.

“It is a rare privilege and honour to have a Prince of the Church and eminent teacher of the faith celebrate the Holy Mass with us on this great Marian feast,” Nwanegbo said.

He added that Cardinal Arinze’s presence strengthened the parish’s sense of communion with the universal Catholic Church and renewed the faithful in “faith, hope and charity.”

A major highlight of the visit was the administration of First Holy Communion to young parishioners by Cardinal Arinze.

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