Border priest who helped the poor voted by US bishops for sainthood

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The late Rev. Richard M. Thomas, a priest who served in the Borderland, has advanced in the first step toward sainthood.

U.S. bishops voted overwhelmingly to support the advancement of his cause for beatification and canonization.

Thomas was known for his charity work with the poor in Juárez and for living an austere lifestyle.

The late Rev. Richard M. Thomas, a priest that served in El Paso, Juárez and Las Cruces during the 1960s, has advanced in the first step of being considered for sainthood.

The bishops of the United States met at their November Plenary Assembly and voted in the majority to support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the diocesan level. The votes were 206 in favor, 4 votes against, and 1 abstention.

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