VATICAN:In an indication of a partial discontinuity between the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, the Holy See this week announced new procedures for the process of beatification, procedures that seem likely to make the road to sainthood more difficult.
One of the defining features of John Paul II's pontificate was the high number of beatifications approved by him. In his 27- year pontificate, he beatified 1,338 people and canonised 482 - more than all his predecessors combined since the current beatification process was introduced in the 16th century.
Presenting the new procedures this week, Portuguese cardinal José Saraiva Martins, head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Cause of Saints, called for more "rigour" and "sobriety" from those bishops who decide to initiate the beatification process. He also suggested his department was overwhelmed by "causes", with 2,200 beatification requests pending.
Traditionally the beatification process begins when believers approach a local bishop about a much-loved figure. With the Holy See's approval, an investigation into the would-be saint is launched, with the findings being passed on to the Congregation for the Cause of Saints. At that point, the case is presented to the pope for his final approval.
Vatican commentators have regularly suggested that Benedict is less enthusiastic than his predecessor about the beatification/canonisation process, saying that unlike John Paul II, he has chosen not to preside over beatification services. He leaves that function to Cardinal Martins (or someone appointed by him) and presides only at canonisation ceremonies.
Asked about the high number of beatifications approved by John Paul II, Cardinal Martins said this week that whenever someone made this point to John Paul II, he would tell them to "ask God for an explanation".
The new document, Sanctorum Mater, offers precise instructions on how to promote a "cause" (for sainthood), from the collection of documentation through to the use of voice recorders and internet.
In particular, the bishops are called on to guarantee a "serious" investigation into alleged miracles, stressing the need for a "true reputation for holiness" among sainthood candidates and pointing out that in the past, "causes" had been undermined by "problematic elements".
In what looks like an indication of a different attitude to beatification/canonisation, three famous causes are on hold - those relative to John Paul II himself, to Pope Pius XII and to the Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero.
Cardinal Martins said the Pius XII and Romero causes required more "research", while he discounted speculation that John Paul would be proclaimed "blessed" on April 2nd this year, the third anniversary of his death.