Wichita Diocese announce remains of Fr. Emil Kapaun coming home

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The remains of Father Emil Kapaun are coming home to Kansas, the Catholic Diocese of Wichita announced Sunday evening.

Father Emil Kapaun was an army chaplain during World War II and the Korean War. He was a prisoner of war in Korea in 1951. During that time, he continued to minister to other soldiers until his death in May of that year. In 1993, Father Kapaun was declared a Servant of God, the first step toward sainthood.

Father Kapaun’s remains were discovered just last month, nearly 70 years after his death. When the remains arrive back in Kansas, they will be placed inside a shrine at Wichita’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to commemorate his legacy. That will be temporary in the event he is recognized as a saint in the future.

A date has not been announced for the placement.