Mother Teresa close to sainthood

Mother Teresa moved a step closer to beatification today, when a Vatican committee approved a reported miracle attributed to the late nun, her religious order said.

The Sisters of Charity said the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints committee that handles the process leading to sainthood approved reports that an Indian woman in her 30s was cured of a stomach tumour allegedly due to the intercession of Mother Teresa.

Sister Simone of the religious order said they were waiting for official Vatican approval.

Pope John Paul must still give formal approval, a step expected in December. After this, a date would be set for her beatification.

After Mother Teresa died in 1997 at 87, the pope waived the customary five year waiting period to start the procedures that can lead to sainthood.

After beatification, the last formal step before sainthood, a second miracle must occur before someone can be declared a saint.