John Paul II to be beatified in 2011?
The late Pope John Paul II to move one step closer to becoming a saint, according to a story in the National Catholic Reporter. John Paul II will likely be beatified in late 2011, paving the way towards recognition as a saint sometime soon.
Report: Beatification of John Paul II likely in 2011
From the National Catholic Reporter
According to a report by veteran Italian Vatican writer Andrea Tornielli, a miracle attributed to the late Pope John Paul II has been approved by both the medical and theological consulters of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
In effect, that clears the path for the beatification of John Paul II sometime in 2011. Tornielli suggests that the most likely dates would April 2, the anniversary of the pope’s death; May 18, his birthday; or October 16, the anniversary of his election to the papacy in 1978.
Although Benedict XVI typically does not celebrate beatification ceremonies himself, preferring that they be led by the local bishop and staged in the saint’s local diocese, in this case the beatification would be held in St. Peter’s Square in Rome and is expected to draw a vast crowd.
Before a date is set, the full body of cardinals and bishops who make up the Congregation for the Causes of Saints must approve the miracle and then submit their recommendation to Pope Benedict XVI.
Frankly I have mixed feelings about this news. John Pau II ("the Great"???) was a charismatic figure indeed but he also gave free reign to the march away from the vision of Vatican II and deliberate return to a romatic recreation of the 1950's in the Roman church. If, as I firmly believe, Vatican II was an in-breaking of God and since an "ecumenical council" has more authority than any one pope, he and the man who followed him are in fact working against the Will of God and the movement of the Spirit within the church. I'd say that wouldn't necessarily indicate sanctity. This is a tough one. History has seen people canonized for all sorts of reasons and there may be other motives besides holiness at work here.
Posted by Peter Pearson![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 6, 2011 11:32 AM
Sadly, I'd say it's time to view the Vatican's canonization process as being little different than the Soviet Union handing out a "Heroic Worker for the People!" award. "Thank you for exemplifying the ideology (Here's a empirically-free confirmation of a 'miracle'). Yay."
JC Fisher
[Wake me when they canonize Thomas Merton, Oscar Romero, and Dorothy Day (though of course the latter didn't want it!)]
Posted by tgflux![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 6, 2011 5:47 PM
Three of my heroes, but don't forget John xxiii....
Posted by Peter Pearson![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 6, 2011 10:35 PM