Miracle may be credited to Cardinal Newman

LONDON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The Vatican is expected to attribute a miracle to Cardinal Newman, helping to put him on the road to becoming Britain's first saint in 40 years.

Vatican sources said a decision could be announced within months, meaning that John Henry Newman could be beatified as early as 2008, the Telegraph reported Monday.

Medical experts are already looking into evidence that a 69-year-old American was cured of a crippling spinal condition after praying to the cardinal.

If it is deemed a miracle than the convert who became a cardinal would be declared "blessed" and only one step from canonization, which would require a second miracle.

The Vatican's Congregation for Saints normally takes years to go through similar cases, but has given priority to Newman.