Meet Pedro Ballester: An Englishman with a cause

The Diocese of Salford in England announced this month the opening of the canonization cause for Pedro Ballester Arenas, who died of cancer in 2018 at 21 years of age.

Pedro Ballester Arenas. Courtesy photo.

Ballester was born in Manchester to a Spanish family and asked for admission as an Opus Dei numerary in 2013, receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis just months later.

“He accepted his illness with remarkable faith, offering his suffering for the pope, the Church and all souls, and bearing his condition with deep serenity and trust in God,” said the diocesan statement, released May 13.

“Over the years since his death, his reputation for holiness has grown significantly. In response, the postulator, Fr Paul Hayward, has formally requested the opening of the cause.”

Fr. Paul Hayward, a priest of Opus Dei in Glasgow, told The Pillar that the cause was opened by the Diocese of Salford at the request of the prelature of Opus Dei.

“The prelature approached the diocese about the cause, and once the diocese accepted, the prelature then takes responsibility for the funding and all expenses, while the diocese is in charge of calling the witnesses, meeting with them, arranging the interviews. So, [the diocese] does the heavy lifting,