The story of Father Emil Kapaun of Pilsen has long held interest for Catholics in other countries, and many are finding their way to Kansas and the Kapaun Museum in Pilsen.

“We’ve had someone just recently from Columbia, South America,” volunteer Harriet Bina said. “We had the bishop from South Korea come over a year ago.”

Other visitors have come from countries such as Japan, France, and New Guinea.

Travelers from the U.S. have reported hearing about Father Kapaun when they attended services in other countries.

“We had a doctor from Wichita who went to Ireland and was sitting there in a pew, and they started telling the story of Father Kapaun,” Bina said.

Interest in the chaplain who died in a Korean War prison camp, and in the museum, has been increasing steadily as the cause to have him declared a Catholic saint progresses.

The Wichita Diocese will be sending representatives to Rome in November to present his case at the Vatican.