John Paul II closer to Sainthood

[47of74]

Rome, Italy (CNN) -- Pope John Paul II was a step closer to sainthood Saturday after Pope Benedict XVI signed a decree recognizing the late pontiff's "heroic virtues" and declaring him "venerable," the Vatican said.

A miracle attributed to Pope John Paul's intervention will have to be verified for him to be declared "blessed," or beatified. A second miracle would have to be confirmed for him to then be officially canonized, or made a saint.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/12/19/pope.john.paul.sainthood/index.html

[hedgehog]

1. Well, technically speaking, he is or isn't a saint already. he's just

closer to being canonized.

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Since John Paul himself canonized Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer, founder of the Opus Dei movement, I'm not too impressed by the process any more.

[Matilda]

3. Since they abolished the position of Devil's Advocate,

sainthood is now in the gift of the pope, and is rather meaningless.

Escriva's canonisation was rushed through by a pope who thought his hardline, sneaky version of Christianity was the
way to go, while dear old John XXIII is being pushed to the back of the line because of the reaction against Vatican
II.

It's all so personal, it makes me sick.

[emdistortion]

2. I think they're jumping the gun on this one.

Many saints were canonized hundreds of years after their death and miracles are always suspect. If John Paul II is to be considered then why not Mother Theresa?

[Matilda]

4. Becoming a Saint: Who Makes It and Who Doesn't

Here's a timely article from today's Sydney Morning Herald, by Catholic commentator and author, Paul Collins, on
the modern making of a saint.

"Many things that Pope John Paul II did would have horrified his papal predecessors. Among them was his production-line approach to making saints. All up he canonised 482 people, more than all his predecessors put together since the present saint-making process was set up in 1588."

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/becoming-a-saint-who-makes-it-and-who-doesnt-20100112-m4s1.html


Paul Collins is a former priest who wrote many books and articles critical of the Vatican hierarchy and was
repeatedly called in to explain himself to the Archbishop of Sydney. When he was called to Rome to explain himself
to the then Cardinal Ratzinger, he decided to jump before he was pushed and left the priesthood.