Towards a Beatification of John Paul II
Opening by Pope Benedict XVI of the beatification process for John Paul II
May 13, 2005
ROME, May 13, 2005 (AFP)
Pope Benedict XVI announced Friday the opening of the beatification process for his predecessor, the Pole John Paul II, who died on April 2 at the age of 84.
"The cause for the beatification of John Paul II is open," he announced during a meeting with the clergy of Rome at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
"Santo subito" (Saint immediately) the crowd had chanted at the funeral of John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica on April 8.
Benedict XVI announced the opening of the beatification process for his predecessor by reading a letter in Latin from the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Portuguese cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins.
The pope's decision makes it possible not to wait for the expiration of the 5-year period after the date of death imposed by canon law for the opening of a beatification cause.
The Colombian cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the congregation for the clergy, had wished on May 11 that the beatification of John Paul II coincide with the 85th anniversary of his birth on May 18.
"His miracles are not lacking, he already performed some during his lifetime," the high prelate had maintained.
A beatification file must include proof of miracles accomplished by the blessed before or after his death. Beatification is the step that precedes canonization
Several testimonies of miraculous healings accomplished by the late pope already exist. His private secretary, the Polish archbishop Stanislav Dziwisz, recounted in 2002 that an American suffering from a brain tumor was healed after receiving communion from the hands of the pope.
The Vatican spokesman, Joaquin Navarro Valls, had declared on April 9 that the beatification of John Paul II would fall under the "exclusive competence" of the new sovereign pontiff.
Benedict XVI, elected pope on April 19, cites his "beloved predecessor" in all his public interventions, each time provoking applause from the crowd.
ROME, May 13, 2005 (AFP)
Pope Benedict XVI announced Friday the opening of the beatification process for his predecessor, the Pole John Paul II, who died on April 2 at the age of 84.
"The cause for the beatification of John Paul II is open," he announced during a meeting with the clergy of Rome at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
"Santo subito" (Saint immediately) the crowd had chanted at the funeral of John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica on April 8.
Benedict XVI announced the opening of the beatification process for his predecessor by reading a letter in Latin from the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Portuguese cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins.
The pope's decision makes it possible not to wait for the expiration of the 5-year period after the date of death imposed by canon law for the opening of a beatification cause.
The Colombian cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the congregation for the clergy, had wished on May 11 that the beatification of John Paul II coincide with the 85th anniversary of his birth on May 18.
"His miracles are not lacking, he already performed some during his lifetime," the high prelate had maintained.
A beatification file must include proof of miracles accomplished by the blessed before or after his death. Beatification is the step that precedes canonization
Several testimonies of miraculous healings accomplished by the late pope already exist. His private secretary, the Polish archbishop Stanislav Dziwisz, recounted in 2002 that an American suffering from a brain tumor was healed after receiving communion from the hands of the pope.
The Vatican spokesman, Joaquin Navarro Valls, had declared on April 9 that the beatification of John Paul II would fall under the "exclusive competence" of the new sovereign pontiff.
Benedict XVI, elected pope on April 19, cites his "beloved predecessor" in all his public interventions, each time provoking applause from the crowd.
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