BALTIMORE (CNS) – The sainthood cause for the founder of a U.S. religious order devoted to person-to-person ministry moved forward with the approval of the U.S. bishops Nov. 11.

In a voice vote on the first day of their fall general assembly in Baltimore, the bishops agreed to a request from New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan to proceed with the next step in the canonization process for Mother Mary Teresa Tallon.

In April, Cardinal Dolan, acting as the archbishop of New York, signed the edict officially opening the diocesan inquiry into Mother Tallon’s life, heroic virtues, reputation for holiness and events attributed to her intercession. The order’s motherhouse is in Monroe, N.Y., which is in the Archdiocese of New York. Mother Tallon is buried on the grounds of the motherhouse.

The cardinal, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, asked for the bishops’ endorsement as the local bishop promoting her cause. Their vote came after consultation held toward the end of the morning session of the meeting; episcopal consultation is a step in the Catholic Church’s canonization process.