Different versions of this have been circulating all day. The following was published by French Catholic daily La Croix:
According to informations of the [religious news] agency I.Media, confirmed to La Croix by Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, Benedict XVI has backtracked on his decision to proclaim Saint John Mary Vianney (1786-1859) "patron saint of all priests of the world", on the closing [ceremonies] of the Year of Priests.This solemn proclamation should take place after the Mass celebrated this Friday on St.Peter's Square in the presence of over 10,000 priests from all over the world. The figure of this French mystic, already "patron saint of all parish priests of the world" since 1929 and "patron saint of the priests of France" since 1905, has not in the end been considered very representative of the priesthood at the 21st Century, and not very universal.
Other news sources have not mentioned any changes in the long-held plan of Pope Benedict XVI to proclaim the Curé d'Ars patron of all priests - first made public by the Holy See Press Office in March 2009.
If the papal backtracking is confirmed, it will be a highly symbolic move.
Let us pray for the Holy Father.
