By: Catholic News Service (CNS photo/courtesy of Archdiocese of Chicago Archives and Records Center)

QUINCY, Ill. (CNS) — The local ABC-TV affiliate in Quincy, where Father Augustus Tolton grew up and is buried, reported April 14 that Vatican representatives were in the United States to investigate possible miracles related to the priest’s sainthood cause.

Father Tolton was born into slavery and is the first recognized African American priest ordained for the U.S. Catholic Church.

His cause for canonization was officially opened by the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2010 and he received the title “Servant of God.”