THE ORATORY magazine: What did the doctors of the medical commission decide?
Mario Lachapelle : The decision of the medical commission responsible for studying a case of healing attributed to Brother André's intercession was positive. In the medical specialist' unanimous opinion, the healing is scientifically unexplainable. The doctors agreed that they had never come across a case in which an individual in a similar condition had survived and made such a full recovery. The Congregation for the Cause of Saints ordered the scientific judgment to be submitted in writing. It is not yet available for consultation.
What is meant by a ''scientifically unexplainable'' healing?
M.L. : There are two aspects of healing that may be examined. The first involves someone who is cured of a rare or extraordinary disease. The second involves someone who is cured of a disease in an exceptionnally short lapse of time. Regardless of the form it takes, doctors or specialists say the healing is scientifically unexplainable due to he abnormality of the healing conditions. In the current case, healing occured extremely rapidly. The fact that the person survived and made an inexplicable recovery added to the unsual nature of this healing.
What other critera that can be used to determine whether a healing is miraculous?
M.L. : Not only must the healing be scientifically unexplainable but recovery must be quasi-instantaneous. Furthermore, the healing must be long term. Normally, there is a five-year waiting period to ensure the person does not develop the disease again or die of it. The individual must be completely healed of the illness but may experience some aftereffects.
How does the medical commission go about studying a healing?
M. L. : Each of the four or five doctors in the commission receives a copy of the medical file. The file is very thorough and can contain several hundred pages. Without knowing who the other members of the medical commission are, the doctors first study the file independently: then they each present their professionnal opinion to the Congregation for the Cause of Saints. Once this stage has been completed, the Congregation brings the doctors together for a plenary to discuss the healing as a group. This meeting took place on February 26, 2009. It was very quick, as their professionnal opinions were unanimous.
How long it take to complete all the steps leading up to this study?
M. L. : Four years: the diocesan investigation took place in February 2005 and the meeting of the medical commission was held in February 2009.
In the spring 2008, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints formed a medical commission and determined who would take part in it. None of the doctors knew who the other members of the commission doctors received the files in the fall of 2008.
The study allows the doctors to be asked very specific questions, such as: what are the chances of survival for a person in such a condition? Is there a body of similar cases in which individuals were cured? If so, did healing occur at a similar rate? Obviously, we are delighted when we are told: ''No, we have never seen anything like it.''
Is it possible to learn more about the healing, the people involved or the circumstances?
M. L. : Not at the moment. I am not making that information public. If the Pope makes an announcement, we will provide more details on the healing but until then, it would not be worthwhile to do so.
How important is this stage to Brother André's Cause?
M. L. : It is one of the most important stages. In my opinion, it is the most crucial stage in a cause's advancement. It has taken several years to complet. For me, the expression ''scientifically unexplainable'' is the magic word that allows us to move foward to the following stages because, if the judgment is negative, the whole process must be started over again. This stage is the keystone to the entire undertaking.
What is the next stage?
M. L. : The next stage is the examination of the scientifically unexplainable healing by the theological commission. It too is a highly important stage, and focuses on the question: Was the healing brought about by Brother André's intercession? The theological commission's role is to verify the existence of that connection between the healing that occured and an act of faith towards the servant of God. That is the stage at which we currently find ourselves.
How much time will be required to complete this new stage?
M. L. : Based on previous causes that followed the same stages, one might anticipate it taking somewhere between a few weeks and a few months.
What would it mean for Brother André to be canonized?
M. L. : Veneration of Brother André would then pass from a local level to that of the Universal Church. The spiritual figure of Brother André, the man and his work, would have an impact not only on people here, in Canada or North America, but on the entire Church. I think people need concrete signs of God's presence and love. God has worked through Brother André; that is what the miracle demonstrates. It also signifies that God continues to act in our world today.
Source: THE ORATORY magazine, No. 83, No. 3, May-June 2009, p. 7-10.
