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Pope 'moves closer to sainthood' John Paul sainthood plan boosted
(1 day later)
The late Pope John Paul II could move a step closer to sainthood, as Catholic Church officials complete the first phase of an inquiry into his holiness. Roman Catholic officials have completed the first phase of a campaign to make the late Pope John Paul II a saint.
The report, to be given to the Vatican on the second anniversary of his death, cites a possible miracle attributable to the Pope's intercession. On the second anniversary of his death, they gave the Vatican a dossier detailing his saintly qualities.
A French nun says she was cured of Parkinson's Disease after companions appealed to the late pontiff's spirit. Central to the case is the testimony of a nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, who says she was cured of Parkinson's Disease after praying to the Pope.
A medically-supported miracle is one of the proofs needed for beatification, the step before sainthood.
The final decision rests with Pope Benedict XVI, the late pope's former protector of doctrine.
The beatification process is "advancing rapidly", Pope Benedict said as he celebrated mass in Saint Peter's Square to commemorate the second anniversary of the death of John Paul II.
John Paul II spread "the aroma of faith, hope and charity in the Church and the entire world", Benedict said.
If deemed genuine, a second miracle would still be needed before sainthood.If deemed genuine, a second miracle would still be needed before sainthood.
BEATIFICATION PROCESS Beatification requires that a miracle has occurredGroup approaches local bishopAfter Rome's approval an investigation is launchedFindings are sent to the Congregation for the Causes of SaintsCase is presented to the PopeBlessed may be accorded a feast dayRelics of the candidate may be veneratedCanonisation (actual sainthood) requires proof of a second miracle href="/1/hi/world/europe/4545585.stm">Reasons for the fast track BEATIFICATION PROCESS Beatification requires that a miracle has occurredGroup approaches local bishopAfter Rome's approval an investigation is launchedFindings are sent to the Congregation for the Causes of SaintsCase is presented to the PopeBlessed may be accorded a feast dayRelics of the candidate may be venerated in local dioceseCanonisation (actual sainthood) requires proof of a second miracle href="/1/hi/world/europe/6504233.stm">Reasons for the fast track
Information for the dossier was gathered on the former Pope's life and teachings, including all private writings from the period before he became Pope, and checked for orthodoxy to ensure that he expressed no heretical views.Information for the dossier was gathered on the former Pope's life and teachings, including all private writings from the period before he became Pope, and checked for orthodoxy to ensure that he expressed no heretical views.
A commission of historians then gathered the documents together to be examined by panels of theologians, cardinals and bishops.A commission of historians then gathered the documents together to be examined by panels of theologians, cardinals and bishops.
Pope Benedict XVI will now be called upon to give his approval to John Paul II's beatification.
The testimony of the French nun, Marie Simon-Pierre, whose Parkinson's disease disappeared two months after the Pope's death, could be central to the case for sainthood.
Proof of miracleProof of miracle
The Catholic Church demands proof of a medically unexplained healing before a candidate can be beatified - the last step before sainthood. The miracle must take place after the candidate's death.The Catholic Church demands proof of a medically unexplained healing before a candidate can be beatified - the last step before sainthood. The miracle must take place after the candidate's death.
John Paul abandoned custom when he beatified Mother TeresaBeatification allows public veneration of the person and for them to be known as "Blessed". For actual sainthood, proof of at least two miracles is required. John Paul abandoned custom when he beatified Mother TeresaBeatification allows public veneration of the person and for them to be known as "Blessed".
The documentation on John Paul was prepared by the Rome and Krakow dioceses. It will be examined by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
In normal circumstances five years must pass between the death of the person proposed for beatification and the start of the procedure, to avoid emotion playing a part.In normal circumstances five years must pass between the death of the person proposed for beatification and the start of the procedure, to avoid emotion playing a part.
However, Pope Benedict put John Paul on a fast track for possible sainthood just weeks after his death on 2 April 2005, allowing an investigation into his virtues to begin immediately.However, Pope Benedict put John Paul on a fast track for possible sainthood just weeks after his death on 2 April 2005, allowing an investigation into his virtues to begin immediately.
John Paul II dispensed with this rule himself when in 2003 he beatified Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The entire process was completed just six years after her death.John Paul II dispensed with this rule himself when in 2003 he beatified Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The entire process was completed just six years after her death.
The late Pope created more saints and blesseds than any of his predecessors.