DETROIT — Two local Capuchin friars, Fr. Lawrence Webber and Bro. Richard Merling, have been appointed co-vice postulators for the cause of Ven. Solanus Casey by Fr. Florio Tessari, OFM Cap, postulator general for Capuchin sainthood causes in Rome.

Fr. John Celichowski, provincial minister of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph, announced the appointments Monday.

Fr. Webber will continue to serve as director of the Solanus Casey Center, a pilgrimage center devoted to the holiness and spirituality of Fr. Solanus (1870 -1957), the famous Capuchin friar who served much of his ministry at the adjacent St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit.

Bro. Merling will continue to serve as director of the Father Solanus Guild, an organization devoted to keeping alive the inspiring memory of Fr. Solanus and his exemplary life to others.

Fr. Webber and Bro. Merling succeed Bro. Leo Wollenweber, OFM Cap., who had served as the vice postulator until his death last month.

The Father Solanus Guild initiated the cause of Solanus Casey for sainthood in 1966. Pope John Paul II declared him “venerable” in 1995.

The co-vice postulators will gather documentation of healings attributed to Ven. Solanus’ intercession. This documentation may then be studied in Rome.

One miraculous cure recognized by the Holy See as attributed to the prayers of Ven. Solanus would advance the cause to beatification and the title of “blessed.” Another officially recognized miracle after that would advance the cause finally to sainthood.

In his letter of appointment, Fr. Tessari directs the co-vice postulators to “promote the best way you can, given all the resources necessary and appropriate in relation to the case, whether civil or ecclesiastical, the aforesaid servant of God.”

Fr. Celichowski remarked, “Fr. Larry and Bro. Richard have both been very involved in promoting the cause of Fr. Solanus in their own ministries, so they are well-qualified to serve as co-vice postulators.”

In addition, he said the Solanus Casey Center and Father Solanus Guild are increasingly collaborating, for example through a common Web portal.

“We encourage anyone who may have experienced a remarkable favor through the intercession of Fr. Solanus to contact them to assist the cause,” he said.

“Although he died 55 years ago, the life and ministry of Fr. Solanus, particularly the discernment of his vocation and his personal struggles, as well as his devotion to prayer and his compassion for the poor and suffering, are timeless lessons of faith for us,” Fr. Celichowski said.

More information about Ven. Solanus Casey is available at www.solanuscasey.org.