Pope Francis signs canonization decrees for John XXIII and John Paul II

Vatican Radio ^ | July 5, 2013

[NYer]

(Vatican Radio) Journalists in the Holy See Press Office busy getting to grips with Pope Francis’ first encyclical the Light of Faith, were somewhat surprised Friday lunchtime when Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. called them back for a second announcement: Pope Francis had approved the cause for canonization of two of his venerable and much loved predecessors Blessed John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Emer McCarthy reports:


Meeting with Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints, Friday morning, Pope Francis approved the promulgation of the decree and also convoked a special Consistory of the College of Cardinals to discuss the canonization of the Polish pope in depth.


Furthermore, he approved the favorable votes of the Ordinary Session of the Congregations Cardinals and Bishops regarding the raising to the altars of sainthood of Blessed John XXII.


This slightly unusual gesture was explained by Fr. Lombardi who told journalists that despite the absence of a second miracle it was the Pope’s will that the Sainthood of the great Pope of the Second Vatican Council be recognized.


Fr. Lombardi stated that a canonization without a second miracle is still valid, given that there is already the existing miracle that lead to the Roncalli Pope’s beatification. He also pointed to ongoing discussions among theologians and experts about whether it is necessary to have two distinct miracles for beatification and canonization. Certainly, he added the Pope has the power to dispense, in a Cause, with the second miracle.



However, there was no mention of dates. Neither for the Consistory nor for the Canonizations. Fr. Lombardi did not rule out that both celebrations could coincide, and he did express his belief that they would take place by the end of the year. Either way any date would be established during the Consistory.

[NYer]

Ping!

[oh8eleven]

He also pointed to ongoing discussions among theologians and experts about whether it is necessary to have two distinct miracles for beatification and canonization.
So there's no second miracle but because there are "discussions" he'll waive the requirement?
With no disrespect meant, isn't that what Øbama does with Executive Orders?

[Terry L Smith]

The man who stood up to the Nazis, the Soviets, survived a Mohammedan assassination attempt, and saw, the assembly of an American political presence in Rome, and kept it all together, deserves whatever accolades befit him.

[NCC-1701]

I had the priviledge of seeing Pope John Pual II in 1987. Never in my life did I think I’d ever get to see a living Pope. Now, it looks like I’ll be able to say that I have seen a future saint. The same goes for Mother Terresa whenever that honor comes her way.

[Tanniker Smith]

I came thisclose to seeing the Pope twice. In the 80s, I would likely have seen him if I'd braved a rainstorm to go to the church for the raffle I most likely would've gotten a ticket (not many people went) -- for that matter, had I not quit the Boy Scouts, I might've been there at Madison Square Garden.

Then a number of years ago, my parish had a handful of tickets, so they had a raffle. One entry per person, please. Me being slick, I took an extra ticket for my wife, who I will kindly call a "lapsed Catholic". I got home from work late one night that week and my daughter runs up to me and says, "Mommy's gonna see the Hope!"

They called, her name had been pulled, and though she knew it would mean everything to me, she told me in no uncertain terms that she was going. (Politically aware as she was starting to become, she wanted to see a world leader.)

[montaine]

I think the big headline here is “John XXIII may be named a Saint of the Catholic Church” Really? For the destruction wreaked by his council Vatican II? Am I missing something?

[HOYA97]

I was thinking the exact same thing. He did a lot of damage to the church. At least, I think he did.

[BlessedBeGod]

Fr. Lombardi stated that a canonization without a second miracle is still valid...

Seriously? Since when? So, the Holy Father can just declare someone a saint without them having to go through the required process?

[ebb tide]

Neat!

Now we have the DoubleMint Saints, Two Saints in One Pronouncement, and only for the price of three miracles, not four!

All in the name of protecting that inferior, purely pastoral and thus fallible, Second Vatican Council.

[steve86]

A longer report on these canonization decrees published in my local paper stated this was a victory for the lib faction of the Church and something to the effect that the period of controversy over VII is now over. I can’t say on the religion forum what I think of that last claim.

[steve86]

So, the Holy Father can just declare someone a saint without them having to go through the required process?

Sounds like a lot of the "deeming" that passing for governing in D.C. Deciding unilaterally not to enforce laws, etc.