"Mother Marianne's beatification is set for May 15," said the Very Rev. Tom Gross, administrator of the diocese. "Seven or eight people are being beatified, and I doubt that would be stopped."

The diocese also is nearly finished with its review of the Damien case, which had been suspended because of questions about the miracle that had been credited to the Moloka'i priest. Gross said that review will be complete by the end of the month and then will be submitted to Rome for evaluation. Another pope is likely to be in place before the final decision would have to be made, he said.

The Very Rev. Thomas Gross said that business of the Honolulu diocese was continuing, as Pope John Paul's condition worsened. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

That roster is winnowed to a list of three nominees selected by the papal nuncio for the United States, the pope's representative in this country.

The nuncio submits that list for review by the Congregation of Bishops in Rome, which makes the selection and submits the final name to the pope for approval. It's unknown how far the selection has proceeded, Gross said, but the selection of a new pope would not delay it for long, if at all.

Gross has served as administrator since the bishop's position became vacant May 28, handling most diocesan matters without interruption.

Certain duties, including the ordination of new priests, can be handled only by a bishop and would have to be postponed until a successor is named in Honolulu, Gross said. However, when he passes the one-year anniversary of his appointment as administrator, he will be cleared to handle some additional matters, according to church rules.

For example, Gross said, he will then be able to approve the transfer of priests into and out of the diocese and appoint pastors to parishes here, as long as he has the consent of the College of Consulters, a group of 10 vicars in Hawai'i.