“making him an idolatrous object of veneration”
I’ve never looked at the practice like that before, but thinking about it now...
Well said.
There are three steps to becoming a canonized saint.
This is from Catholicity.com
**In official Church procedures there are three steps to sainthood: one becomes Venerable, Blessed and then a Saint. Venerable is the title given to a deceased person recognized as having lived heroic virtues. To be recognized as a blessed, and therefore beatified, in addition to personal attributes of charity and heroic virtue, one miracle, acquired through the individual’s intercession, is required. Canonization requires two, though a Pope may waive these requirements. Martyrdom does not usually require a miracle. **