Diocese bids to make student first Gen Z saint

A student who died eight years ago has been put on the path to become the Catholic Church's first Gen Z saint.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford announced overnight it had formally opened the "cause for the canonisation" of Pedro Ballester, 21, from Manchester, paving the way for a comprehensive examination of his life and writings to be presented to the Pope.

Opening a cause is the first hurdle a potential saint must clear.

"We are pleased to announce the opening of the Cause for the Beatification and Canonisation of Pedro Ballester, a young Manchester man whose life of faith and witness continues to inspire many," said the diocese.

Manchester-born Ballester, died on 13 January, 2018 after an aggressive cancer halted his studies to be a chemical engineer and more than 500 people packed the Holy Name Church on Oxford Road for his funeral celebrated by the future Cardinal Arthur Roche, who flew over from the Vatican.

Fr Joseph Evans, the priest who gave him the last rites greeted the announcement with excitement.

"Wow. I'm delighted having witnessed at first hand Pedro's heroic struggle in the last six months of his life," said Fr Evans.

"I feel he can be a great model of joy in adversity particularly for young people."

The formal process sees the diocese inviting Catholics to submit any information that might "help to build a full picture of Pedro's life, virtues and reputation for holiness" such as personal testimonies, memories and any writings attributed to him including letters or diaries.

More than 60 friends, family and acquaintances were interviewed by church authorities prior to this announcement, including his father, a surgeon working in Huddersfield, who was interviewed for three hours.

This new process will formally seek to ascertain whether Ballester achieved what the Catholic Church terms a life of "heroic virtue": living a life of faith, hope and love surpassing ordinary human capabilities before sending a dossier to the Vatican.

Ballester was a member of the Catholic organisation Opus Dei and in his teens committed himself to be a lay member who would never marry but would devote himself to God in his ordinary working life.

His grave has become a shrine attracting "pilgrims" from around the world to the Catholic section of Southern Cemetery Manchester, near other famous Catholics such as legendary Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby and music mogul Tony Wilson.

Opus Dei was founded in 1928 by a 26-year-old Spanish priest Josemaría Escrivá, whose vision was to extend the Sunday religiosity into everyday life.

Prominent members have included former Celtic and Scotland footballer the late Tommy Burns, and ex-Labour cabinet minister Ruth Kelly.

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