Matt Talbot is to be declared venerable by the Vatican in another move towards becoming a saint.
In the Catholich Church declaring an individual venerable is the second step of four towards canonisation. For Matt Talbot the first step was made some years earlier when he was declared a servant of God.
The announcement was made in Dublin by the Very Rev Morgan Costello, who is Vice Postulator of the Matt Talbot Cause. He oulines the possible beatification and canonisation of Matt Talbot.
It means now that Matty is standing by for beatification.
In order to move forward to beatification, the Holy See will look for proof of two acts or cures with a miraculous element.
Two miracles will be required for beatification and two others for canonisation.
Fr Morgan Costello believes that it is important for Matt Talbot to be beatified and then canonised to bring him worldwide attention. It would become an inspiration for alcoholics or poor people to follow his example.
Pope Paul VI visited Matt Talbot's tomb at Glasnevin Cemetery in 1961, before he became Pope, and expressed a desire to beatify him.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 October 1975. The reporter is Kevin O'Kelly.
