Sister Wilhelmina’s body incorrupt, bishop confirms
August 23, 2024
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CWN Editor's Note: Bishop James Johnston of Kansas City in Missouri has announced that a medical investigation found no sign of decomposition in the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster.
Sister Wilhelmina died in May 2019. Although she was buried in a wooden casket without embalming, when her body was exhumed in 2023 there was no sign of physical corruption or decay. Bishop Johnston reported that a medical investigation confirmed that there was no physical deterioration.
Although the discovery that Sister Wilhelmina’s body was incorrupt gave rise to belief in her sanctity, Bishop Johnston cautioned:
The Catholic Church does not have an official protocol for determining if a deceased person’s body is incorrupt, and incorruptibility is not considered to be an indication of sainthood. There is no current plan to initiate a cause for sainthood for Sister Wilhelmina.The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
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