Saint Factory slowdown

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7251557.stm

It seems the Catholic Church has decided to slow down the process toward sainthood by applying more rigorous standards. Some had suggested the Church had become a "saint factory", with huge numbers of saints being cranked out. It seems that Pope John Paul II had beatified more people than all his predecessors put together, with 1,338 beatified and 482 canonized.

I recall arguing this exact point with RHP's self-appointed Papal representative a while ago, and now it seems that I, an atheist, was right! The reckless pace at which John Paul II churned out saints has indeed become a point of embarrassment for the Church. That pontifical madman had debased the institution of sainthood to such a degree that it seemed almost anyone could become a saint. But Pope Ratzi has saved the day by reducing the flow of new saints to a more respectable trickle. Of course that hasn't stopped him from rushing John Paul II through the express lane, even as people like Oscar Romero get put on hold.

Originally posted by rwingett
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7251557.stm

It seems the Catholic Church has decided to slow down the process toward sainthood by applying more rigorous standards. Some had suggested the Church had become a "saint factory", with huge numbers of saints being cranked out. It seems that Pope John Paul II had beatified more people than all his predecessors ...[text shortened]... ing John Paul II through the express lane, even as people like Oscar Romero get put on hold.

Cardinal Martins also explained the need for the publication of the document. “In some dioceses, certain provisions of the law have not always been understood and, consequently, not been put into practice with the necessary meticulousness, which has sometimes made it necessary for the congregation to supply clarifications or to ask diocesan curias to correct errors.”

He continued, “dioceses do not always have access to specialized individuals with practical experience of the various procedures involved in a cause of canonization.” For this reason, “it is evident that a practical document, such as this Instruction, was useful, indeed necessary.

Originally posted by rwingett
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7251557.stm

It seems the Catholic Church has decided to slow down the process toward sainthood by applying more rigorous standards. Some had suggested the Church had become a "saint factory", with huge numbers of saints being cranked out. It seems that Pope John Paul II had beatified more people than all his predecessors ...[text shortened]... ing John Paul II through the express lane, even as people like Oscar Romero get put on hold.

Originally posted by Conrau K
According to Catholic sources, the new norms established for the process of canonisation deal largely with how diocesan bishops nominate a person for sainthood. Cardinal Martins, responsible for the causes of saints, explains,

[quote]Cardinal Martins also explained the need for the publication of the document. “In some dioceses, certain provisio ...[text shortened]... aints. St. Thomas Aquinas had to wait some fifty years, and he is regarded as one of the great.)

Originally posted by rwingett
Just listen to my good buddy josephw, he knows what he's talking about. Your saints are absurd! And John Paul II made so many of them that we're practically up to our ears in absurd saints.

Originally posted by josephw
It's absurd that the pope should make saints in the first place. Every person that ever accepted Christ as their saviour becomes a saint at the moment of conversion automatically.

Originally posted by Conrau K
But do they die for Jesus, perform miracles or prophesy WWII?

Originally posted by rwingett
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7251557.stm

It seems the Catholic Church has decided to slow down the process toward sainthood by applying more rigorous standards. Some had suggested the Church had become a "saint factory", with huge numbers of saints being cranked out. It seems that Pope John Paul II had beatified more people than all his predecessors ...[text shortened]... ing John Paul II through the express lane, even as people like Oscar Romero get put on hold.

Originally posted by twhitehead
1. Die for Jesus? Does Jesus really want you dead?
2. Do saints perform miracles or does God do it for them? Why? As a way of letting everybody know who he wants as saints?
3. I could prophesy WWIII if you like?

Originally posted by Conrau K
1. No; but over centuries, there have been Christians persecuted for their belief in Christ and who have died rather than renounce their faith. People generally express this more economically to say, "they died for Jesus."
2. The source of the miracle is God, but the saint is supposed to be the medium - the one who directs it whether to heal or cleave bou to mean all the faithful Christians; the Catholic Church uses the term in a narrower sense.