sws4420
05-30-2005, 12:38 PM
Catholics in Rome, Poland asked to weigh in
VATICAN CITY - The Rome diocese has officially opened the procedure that could lead to sainthood for Pope John Paul, asking Catholics to come forward with evidence “in favor or against” his reputation of holiness.
An edict published at the weekend marked the start of a procedure that could lead to John Paul, who died last month, being declared first a blessed and later a saint of the Church.
The edict by Rome Cardinal Camillo Ruini will also be posted in Krakow, Poland, where the late Pope spent most of his life before his election in 1978.
In fact, the edict is titled: “Cause for the beatification and canonization of John Paul II, also known as Karol Wojtyla, supreme pontiff.”
It invites the faithful to come forward with information “from which can be drawn elements favorable or contrary to the reputation of holiness of the above-mentioned Servant of God”.
They can provide any letters, private writings, diaries and manuscripts they may have.
The edict was possible because Pope Benedict earlier this month dispensed with Church rules and put his predecessor on the fast track to possible sainthood. Benedict waived rules that impose a five-year waiting period after a candidate’s death before the procedure that leads to sainthood can start.
John Paul died on April 2 and if normal rules had been applied, the procedure could not have started until 2010.
The quick start of the procedure means John Paul could be beatified and so declared a “blessed of the Church” within a few years if a miracle can be attributed to his intercession.
The crowds at John Paul’s funeral on April 8 chanted “Santo Subito” (Make him a saint now!).
The five-year rule is meant, among other things, to allow emotions to settle after a person dies, and for the preparation of documentation and witnesses supporting the sainthood cause.
But John Paul had himself set a precedent in 1999 when he granted a dispensation and let Mother Teresa’s sainthood cause start only two years after her death. She was beatified in 2003.
Many of the people who knew or worked with John Paul are alive. This could speed up the case significantly because witnesses would be readily available to testify.
In past centuries, the saint-making procedure has often been long, bureaucratic and expensive but many Catholics believe that John Paul’s life of suffering and service was clear to all.
One miracle is required after John Paul’s death for the cause to lead to beatification. It must be the result of prayers asking the dead pope to intercede with God. Another miracle would be necessary between beatification and eventual sainthood.
Miracles are usually a physical healing that doctors are at a loss to explain.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8036768/
VATICAN CITY - The Rome diocese has officially opened the procedure that could lead to sainthood for Pope John Paul, asking Catholics to come forward with evidence “in favor or against” his reputation of holiness.
An edict published at the weekend marked the start of a procedure that could lead to John Paul, who died last month, being declared first a blessed and later a saint of the Church.
The edict by Rome Cardinal Camillo Ruini will also be posted in Krakow, Poland, where the late Pope spent most of his life before his election in 1978.
In fact, the edict is titled: “Cause for the beatification and canonization of John Paul II, also known as Karol Wojtyla, supreme pontiff.”
It invites the faithful to come forward with information “from which can be drawn elements favorable or contrary to the reputation of holiness of the above-mentioned Servant of God”.
They can provide any letters, private writings, diaries and manuscripts they may have.
The edict was possible because Pope Benedict earlier this month dispensed with Church rules and put his predecessor on the fast track to possible sainthood. Benedict waived rules that impose a five-year waiting period after a candidate’s death before the procedure that leads to sainthood can start.
John Paul died on April 2 and if normal rules had been applied, the procedure could not have started until 2010.
The quick start of the procedure means John Paul could be beatified and so declared a “blessed of the Church” within a few years if a miracle can be attributed to his intercession.
The crowds at John Paul’s funeral on April 8 chanted “Santo Subito” (Make him a saint now!).
The five-year rule is meant, among other things, to allow emotions to settle after a person dies, and for the preparation of documentation and witnesses supporting the sainthood cause.
But John Paul had himself set a precedent in 1999 when he granted a dispensation and let Mother Teresa’s sainthood cause start only two years after her death. She was beatified in 2003.
Many of the people who knew or worked with John Paul are alive. This could speed up the case significantly because witnesses would be readily available to testify.
In past centuries, the saint-making procedure has often been long, bureaucratic and expensive but many Catholics believe that John Paul’s life of suffering and service was clear to all.
One miracle is required after John Paul’s death for the cause to lead to beatification. It must be the result of prayers asking the dead pope to intercede with God. Another miracle would be necessary between beatification and eventual sainthood.
Miracles are usually a physical healing that doctors are at a loss to explain.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8036768/