Admirers still urging sainthood for chaplain killed on 9/11 (Fr. Mychal Judge)

[FireUpChips10]

Some of his many admirers point to Judge — a gay man who devoted himself to ministering to vulnerable populations such as the homeless or people with HIV/AIDS — as a reason for the U.S. Catholic Church to be more welcoming to LGBTQ people.

And some argue passionately that Judge should be considered for sainthood, with a new initiative to be launched in the coming days. Though Judge’s religious order has not embraced that cause, a Rome-based priest who helps the Vatican investigate possible candidates for canonization is urging Judge’s supporters not to give up the effort.

Judge died in the line of duty two decades ago after hurrying with firefighter colleagues to the burning World Trade Center. As he prayed in the north tower’s lobby for the rescuers and victims, the 68-year-old priest was crushed by debris from the falling south tower.

“Mychal Judge shows us that you can be gay and holy,” said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest who advocates for greater LGBTQ inclusion in the church.

https://www.woodtv.com/news/national/admirers-still-urging-sainthood-for-chaplain-killed-on-9-11/

[left-of-center2012]

1. I have read in the past that the debris was a body

I read that someone who jumped from the tower landed on him.
Yet over the years they referred to that person as 'debris'.

[CBHagman]

4. I've heard conflicting reports...

...which isn't surprising, considering the chaos of that day. A Franciscan I know who knew Father Mychal seemed to confirm the story of falling debris, but we've only talked about it once and that a long time ago.

[hlthe2b]

2. One of the most memorable images for me was of Fr Mychal Judge being carried out...

I'm all for the Vatican giving him sainthood... While it doesn't mean much for many of us, it is something that is so meaningful for so many Catholics and Father Judge certainly was the epitome of that on 911.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

5. In his Rule, St Benedict says

"It is more important to be a saint than to be called a saint". Fr Judge is, IMO, a saint. Whether or not he is officially canonized isn't so significant.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Also the act of a man who was more than a priest.

Fr. Judge counseled Patrolman Steven D. McDonald who later forgave the youth who shot and paralyzed him. McDonald was in a wheelchair, couldn't breathe without a machine, and died early because of his injuries. Judge appealed to McDonald to have mercy based upon the principles of Jesus and the Church.