Now, for some news from my own backyard: word that the sainthood cause has been opened for the founder of Brooklyn’s first black parish.

From CNS and Ed Wilkinson, editor of the Brooklyn Tablet:

The process to declare a former Brooklyn pastor a saint has begun.

The name of Msgr. Bernard Quinn, founding pastor of St. Peter Claver Parish in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the first parish established for black Catholics in the Brooklyn Diocese, will be sent to Rome to be considered for canonization.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn officially approved the effort Jan. 13.

The same day Auxiliary Bishop Guy A. Sansaricq was the main celebrant of a Mass at St. Peter Claver Church. The congregation of 500 people included members of the Quinn family.

Joining him at the altar were retired Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, and Father Paul Jervis, the current pastor and main promoter of Msgr. Quinn’s cause.

Another concelebrant was Msgr. William Rodgers, 85, a member of St. Peter Claver Parish who became the first black accepted into Brooklyn’s diocesan seminary and the first to be ordained for the Brooklyn Diocese.

“It is time to begin the final review,” said Father Jervis, who wrote “Quintessential Priest,” the story of the life of Msgr. Quinn. “He is in a class all by himself. Join me in promoting his cause with interest and zeal. Today’s Mass is a powerful springboard to launch the cause.”

Father Jervis explained that the request for sainthood along with the details of Msgr. Quinn’s life will be sent to the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes, which will study the merits of the case.

But, Father Jervis warned, there has to be an enduring interest. “Rome wants to see that you are interested,” he said as he urged people to participate in promoting the good works of Msgr. Quinn with prayer and participation.

In the front row at St. Peter Claver Church were members of Msgr. Quinn’s family, including his grandniece, Katherine, and her family, who flew in from St. Louis. Her grandfather, Charles Quinn, was Msgr. Quinn’s brother.

On display in the church were items that belonged to Msgr. Quinn and have been preserved by members of the family, as well as newspaper articles about his life.

A clipping from The New York Times described the scene of the funeral held at St. Peter for Msgr. Quinn in 1940 — 8,000 people lined the streets around the church.

Read much more about Msgr. Quinn and his remarkable life at the link.