The Blessed Father Damien moved another step closer to sainthood with the news that the miracle — a spontaneous cure of a Honolulu woman's cancer — was directly attributable to her prayers to Moloka'i's so-called "Leper priest."

In a statement, Bishop Larry Silva announced the news that the Theological Consultors of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints decided that the miraculous cure was "indeed granted through the intercession of Blessed Damien."

An earlier miracle assured Damien of his beatification, which was celebrated in Belgium with Pope John Paul II.

From here, the sainthood efforts move to the cardinals and bishops who actually compose the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to issue their opinion, which then moves to Pope Benedict for a final decision.