The Vatican has announced that the beatification of Pope John Paul II will be on May 1, 2011. Typically a miracle needs to be attributed to the candidate for beatification and a French nun, Sister Marie Simon Pierre, was cured of Parkinson's Disease after praying to Pope John Paul II who also had the disease and ultimately died from it on April 2, 2005. The miracle was given unanimous consent by the Vatican medical panel and Pope Benedict XVI has signed off on it and set the date for beatification. Proof of another miracle is typically needed as well for the final step - canonization.
Addendum:
Is the man standing next to him a Catholic priest, or an Islamic clergyman?
Some speak of the controversies during Pope John Paul II's papacy, which was perhaps most tarnished by the outbreak of the sex/pedophile scandal during his watch. Other issues include the inclusion of pagans at prayer "services" at Assisi, including having a Buddha on one of the Catholic altars. There is the infamous picture of him allegedly kissing a Quran (which I have heard it was actually a Catholic missal in Arabic - and have heard no confirmation one way or the other on this). So, are we moving too hastily in the canonization process? The determination of sainthood should not be a popularity contest.
ReplyDeleteNow, keep in mind, ALL Christians are considered "saints" - the canonization process is essentially confirmation by the Church that this person is indeed in Heaven - and the Church does have the authority to determine this.
To be canonized does not mean the person was impeccable in his life, but rather that he/she was a remarkable Christian and what they did well can be used as an example to the rest of us. Even those declared to be saints were sinners, just as all of us are.
One miracle has been confirmed and attributed to John Paul II - he'll need at least one more for the canonization process.
Let us not move too quickly to judge Pope John Paul II - OR - the canonization process.
In JMJ,
Scott<<<
Well, Scott, I will agree to disagree with you on this one. I don't believe that his canonization process is moving too fast, after all, he is the pope who had the canonization process streamlined and modernized in the first place.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I agree that we shouldn't judge too quickly--that includes judging appearances. We have no idea what has gone on and is going on behind the scenes.
I pray that the process for Father Rother from here in Oklahoma may be just as swift, for he is a martyr. His cause went to Rome last fall. Some of his siblines are still alive.
Mother Teresa, too, was beatified rather quickly. I don't believe her cause was too swift. Her career too was much critized and, at times, scandalized in the media. Thank God her works proved the worth of her service for God.
Believe me, I have no hero-worship for Pope John Paul II, Servant of God, but I do believe that his personability, his 'humanness', his down-to-earth personality helped soften my view of the papacy. I think that deserves a lot of credit. I agree that his life on Earth need not be impeccable but I believe his good works far out way the scandals.
My two cents.
God Bless.
Hi Cathmom5 - I don't think we're in disagreement here at all. I brought out the controversies (at least some of them) from JPII's papacy to point out we're not hiding from them - and they SHOULD be considered in the canonization process so that either he is clearly vindicated OR the process slows down or even stops.
ReplyDeleteI repeat, to be canonized does not mean the person was impeccable in his life - ALL "Saints" have their flaws, but rather if the process continues then it is because we focus on the GOOD he did and try to pattern our lives after the good and at the same time acknowledging when we stumble, as even Pope John Paul II did.
I believe it would be a mistake to NOT address these scandals, only to have dissenters and other critics throw them up after canonization.
In JMJ,
Scott<<<
PS- I'm also quite sure it is not merely just one more miracle to proceed with canonization. Padre Pio has had NUMEROUS miracles attributed to him - and he too is on the "fast track" for canonization, yet it's been years since he was beatified and there's no talk of when his canonization will be completed (that I am aware of anyway).
I get it now. I agree with you about clearing up some of the scandals.
ReplyDeleteI think that is why a very saintly man like Pope Pius XII won't get canonized anytime soon either. His actions during the war have been misconstrued, scandalized, and propaganized by liberals and the media. History must be in the more distant past for him. Even though not declared by the Church, from what I have read, I do believe he is in Heaven.
IMO, Blessed Pio of Petracla (sp?) is in a similar boat. His bearing of the stigmata for so many decades and his special mystical gifts were so sensationalized during his lifetime that some time must pass, so that his virtues can outshine the sensationalism.
I'm glad we're closer in agreement than I first thought. God Bless.