Malliotakis, Officials Join Family To Highlight Father Vincent Capodanno’s Life & Path to Sainthood
Editor’s note: We had provided an update previously from the Capodanno Guild regarding the cause for and possibility of canonization, which is in the hands of the Catholic Church, and is presently moving through the process. For those who wish to support the effort, learn more about how to do that below.
See the full press conference here.
(STATEN ISLAND, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) held a press conference to highlight the extraordinary courage, faith, and selflessness of Father Vincent Capodanno, a U.S. Navy priest who sacrificed his life serving wounded Marines during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism. Joined by Father Capodanno’s family, elected officials, and veterans, Congresswoman Malliotakis highlighted why his life and sacrifice are deserving of sainthood and called on the community and fellow Americans to show their support.
“Twenty years ago, in May 2006, Father Capodanno was declared a Servant of God by the Catholic Church, a distinction that opened his cause for sainthood. Here in our community, his name and sacrifice have been honored and remembered for generations. But there is an extraordinary life of faith and service behind that Medal of Honor that deserves to be known far beyond our shores,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.
“All the medals that Father Vincent got prior to his death, we never knew. He hid them in an attic. He was an extremely humble man,” said Al Lambert, Father Capodanno’s cousin.
“Father Capodanno’s life and sacrifice, his being, is inextricably woven into the soul of Staten Island, and I believe the soul of America,” said State Senator Andrew Lanza.
“The most important thing he demonstrates for our next generation is leadership through service. True leadership by service is putting others above yourself, and that’s exactly what Father Capodanno did,” said State Representative Michael Reilly.
We requested additional information regarding the status of the cause and how people can help:
Banner Image: Rep. Malliotakis with family members and advocates for canonization of Father Capodanno. Image Credit – Rep. Malliotakis
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was sworn in on January 3, 2021 to represent Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn. Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 2, 2010, defeating a two-term incumbent. In the Assembly, she served as Minority Whip and the ranking minority member of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Employees. For five terms, Congresswoman Malliotakis fought to restore ethics in Albany, expand transit service in her district, improve programs for senior citizens, reform education and improve New York’s economic climate by reducing the tax burden on small businesses and residents. A cornerstone of her tenure was helping her community recover and rebuild following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In addition to advocating for these same issues in Washington, Congresswoman Malliotakis is acutely focused on securing New York’s fair share of federal mass transit funding, which would go towards expanding transportation services and easing traffic congestion, while also championing public safety by supporting our nation’s law enforcement officers. Congresswoman Malliotakis is the daughter of immigrants, her father from Greece and her mother a Cuban exile of the Castro dictatorship. She is currently the only Republican member representing New York City in Congress, representing a district spanning the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. She is a passionate advocate for animal rights and the strengthening of animal cruelty laws, and in her spare time, enjoys spending time with her chihuahua, Peanut.