March 23, 2026

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The founder of Boys Town is another step closer to sainthood.

The Archdiocese of Omaha first put forward Father Edward Flanagan for consideration in 2012. In 2019, the archdiocese submitted its summary of records along with a letter from then-Archbishop George Lucas seeking the status of “venerable” for Father Flanagan.

According to the archdiocese release on Monday, Pope Leo XIV has officially bestowed Father Flanagan with the title of “Venerable Servant of God.”

 

Father Edward Flanagan, founder of Boys Town, has been officially declared a “Venerable Servant of God” by Pope Leo XIV, advancing him closer to sainthood after the Archdiocese of Omaha began the process in 2012 and submitted key documents in 2019; the declaration, announced on the 100th anniversary of Catholic Charities in Omaha, will be celebrated with a Mass of Thanksgiving, while the next steps toward canonization require verified miracles attributed to Flanagan, each rigorously investigated and approved by the Vatican.

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