The investigative phase is complete for the cause of canonization of Daughter of Charity Sr. Marie de Mandat-Grancey (1837-1912), whose efforts led to the 1891 discovery of what some believe is the final home of Mary, the mother of Jesus, located in Ephesus, Turkey. De Mandat-Grancey is currently considered a servant of God, the first step in the canonization process.
During the investigative phase, Bill Quatman, a layman who works as general counsel for an engineering firm in Kansas City, Mo., served as the notary on the bishop-appointed tribunal, which also included two priests. Quatman is also president of the American Society of Ephesus, a nonprofit organization that funds restoration projects for Christian sites, primarily in Ephesus, Turkey.
The tribunal interviewed about 40 witnesses across the globe, including four members of the de Mandat-Grancey family.
Another group associated with the cause, the historical commission, collected letters, books and articles written by, to or about de Mandat-Grancey.
The closing ceremony of the diocesan phase of de Mandat-Grancey's cause took place Sept. 13 at the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
