Saint John Paul the Great?
In this article a few weeks back, John Paul II: ‘Santo, ma non subito’, John L. Allen (the best Vaticaniste in English despite working for the National Catholic Reporter) lists a number of reasons why the brakes may be being applied. His source is an article by Andrea Tornielli in Italy’s Il Giornale.
1) “Two key witnesses, Cardinals Angelo Sodano (John Paul’s Secretary of State) and Leonardo Sandri (who was the substitute, or number two official in the Secretariat of State) have so far refused to testify. Sodano has voiced concern that John Paul’s cause is moving so quickly while the cases of three other popes (Pius XII, Paul VI, and John Paul I) are still pending. Long-standing tensions between Sodano and Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Dzwisz, the late pope’s personal secretary, may also be involved.”
2) “Retired Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini of Milan voiced ambivalence about some aspects of John Paul’s papacy – especially his vast media exposure driven by 104 international trips, which, Tornielli quotes Martini as claiming, weakened the local church.”
3) “John Paul’s famous “kiss” of the Qur’an during an audience with Iraqi Muslims on May 14, 1999. Photos from that event appear to clearly show the pope kissing the Islamic holy book, but Dziwisz has insisted that it never happened.”
4) “the Vatican Bank scandal”
5) “Financial support for the Solidarity movement in Poland”
6) “The appointment of some bishops of “dubious morality.””
All of which is very interesting. The intra-Curial rivalry and vindictiveness is not awfully surprising. But I am especially interested that “kissing the Quran”, IF it happened (and I find it amazing that Dziwisz could deny it – I have seen those photos too – are we supposed to think the picture was some sort photoshop plot by a Muslim anti-papist?), could be an argument against his sainthood. And citing his less than happy episcopal appointments is a little surprising too – I never knew that sainthood implied an ability to see into the hearts of men.
Anyway, in the following video John Allen seems rather more confident than Tornielli that the canonisation will happen before too long:
But I am especially interested that “kissing the Quran”, IF it happened (and I find it amazing that Dziwisz could deny it – I have seen those photos too – are we supposed to think the picture was some sort photoshop plot by a Muslim anti-papist?), could be an argument against his sainthood.
There are no doubt those who would see kissing the Qu’ran as an obstacle to sainthood. But the issue may actually be Dzwisz’s denial, in the teeth of the evidence. It calls into question his credibility – does he see/remember what he wants, rather than what actually was? And that would reflect on all his other testimony about JPII.
And citing his less than happy episcopal appointments is a little surprising too – I never knew that sainthood implied an ability to see into the hearts of men.
Mmm. Thtere may be diplomatic language being employed here. The implication may not be that JPII failed to perceive certain people’s faults, but that he did perceive them but appointed them anyway, because they had other qualities that he thought were necessary. Or something in between – that he chose not to perceive their faults, for example.
Overall, I think the “application of the brakes”, if that is what it is, is a good thing. It shows that the canonisation process is rigorous, as is should be, and that popularity and emotion is not enough to get someone canonised. I was not attraced by the santo subito movement – not that I have any reason to doubt the man’s sanctity, but I mistrust haste. What’s the rush? Why dispense with the timetable for canonisation that JPII himself put in place? It speaks either of hysteria or – worse – of a calculation on sombody’s part that if the thing not rushed through, JPII would not pass muster.
Pere I agree with what you say except the last line “JPII would not pass muster” that I think is unfair and unjust.
That there is “infighting” is not beyond the pale, we need to remember that there was infighting in the group around Jesus, so the infighting should not surprise us. Or cause us to be scandalised. The “Santo subito” movement is just that a zeal of those who love/d him. I have several times been close enough to him to touch him and he exuded such a “sense” (for want of a better word) of something unexplainable. I just cried and cried and I didnt know why I was crying. I just cried. I have done the same when I saw Our Lady being carried on the shoulders of carriers in Fatima and she went behind the priests and bishops and I thought of the love and humility as always with her.
I wept in Lourdes several months ago as I stood in the grotto and touched the rock Our Lady stood on. Its the same sense of touching or sensing something holy and the soul responds with tears of joy.
Anna
Anna, I’m sorry if I wasn’t entirely clear. I didn’t want to suggest that JPII wouldn’t pass muster; rather that rushing through a canonisation could make it look as though someone feared that he wouldn’t pass muster if examined in a more extended process. Another good reason, therefore, not to rush.
OK Pere, sorry if I misunderstood.
Nite
Anna
Interesting. I expect his perceived inaction on the sexual abuse crisis might be seen as an obstacle also. His strong continuing support of Fr Maciel would be seen as something of a mascot of that.
Beatify me Lord, … but not yet! 8)