Will Pope John Paul II be the fastest ever Saint?

[Darat]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4628527.stm


...snip...


His case is being fast-tracked after Pope Benedict made a special ruling.

...snip...


I wonder why? Is this just the RCC pandering to popular pressure or is it a canny PR move to build on the perceived popularity of John Paul II?

[Skeptical Greg]

What is at stake here? Are there some large betting pools ?

[Rob Lister]

Originally posted by Darat
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4628527.stm



I wonder why? Is this just the RCC pandering to popular pressure or is it a canny PR move to build on the perceived popularity of John Paul II?

Yes.

[ceo_esq]

Originally posted by Darat
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4628527.stm



I wonder why? Is this just the RCC pandering to popular pressure or is it a canny PR move to build on the perceived popularity of John Paul II? That dichotomy seems a trifle cynical. Perhaps he's just viewed as an exceptional candidate. It's likely that Pope Benedict (or one of his proxies) explained himself on this point; have you investigated this?

At any rate, I very much doubt that John Paul II will achieve the distinction of "fastest-ever saint". Apparently, Francis of Assisi was named a saint a mere two years after his death.

[richardm]

Originally posted by ceo_esq
At any rate, I very much doubt that John Paul II will achieve the distinction of "fastest-ever saint". Apparently, Francis of Assisi was named a saint a mere two years after his death.

According to the article, Mother Teresa was canonised within two years. I wouldn't be unduly surprised to see that JP2 is done even faster, to capitalise on the goodwill.

[Darat]

Originally posted by ceo_esq
That dichotomy seems a trifle cynical. Perhaps he's just viewed as an exceptional candidate. It's likely that Pope Benedict (or one of his proxies) explained himself on this point; have you investigated this?


Yes I have so I know the official position however I was more interested in the non-official opinions of other people.

Originally posted by ceo_esq

At any rate, I very much doubt that John Paul II will achieve the distinction of "fastest-ever saint". Apparently, Francis of Assisi was named a saint a mere two years after his death.

Well I did ask it as a question...

[Darat]

Originally posted by richardm
According to the article, Mother Teresa was canonised within two years. I wouldn't be unduly surprised to see that JP2 is done even faster, to capitalise on the goodwill.

She isn’t a saint yet (I don’t think I've missed that have I?) - she's been beautified which doesn’t mean a nice hairdo and a manicure but it is normally the first step on the way to becoming a Saint.

[Darat]

If anyone wants a direct link to the English Press release:http://212.77.1.245/news_services/press/vis/dinamiche/e2_en.htm

[L7Cz]

Originally posted by Darat
... she's been beautified ... Beatified (http://www.wordreference.com/definition/beatified)

[Darat]

Originally posted by L7Cz
Beatified (http://www.wordreference.com/definition/beatified)

Opps - that was an embarrassing spelling mistake.

[Ian Osborne]

To qualify as a saint, two recognised miracles must be attributed to him. Perhaps the Foundation should invite the church to take the $1million challenge...

[rjh01]

This is the first time I have seen a spelling error on this forum pointed out to everyone.

[Rob Lister]

Originally posted by rjh01
This is the first time I have seen a spelling error on this forum pointed out to everyone.

Probably only because the typo changed the context and meaning of the statement.

[Darat]

Originally posted by Rob Lister
Probably only because the typo changed the context and meaning of the statement.

And I was making a play on how the word beatified sounds very similar to "beautified" so to go and misspell it - well it was going to be noticed.

[Dr Adequate]

The fastest ever saint was St Stephanos of Corinth. When he was threatened with martyrdom in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, God miraculously granted him the power to run like buggery. He is celebrated as the patron saint of track athletes, abject cowards, and the French military.

[seayakin]

Originally posted by Dr Adequate
The fastest ever saint was St Stephanos of Corinth. When he was threatened with martyrdom in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, God miraculously granted him the power to run like buggery. He is celebrated as the patron saint of track athletes, abject cowards, and the French military.

Sounds like SOW (Spirit of the Wolf - EQ) to me.:D

[CFLarsen]

Originally posted by Darat
Will Pope John Paul II be the fastest ever Saint?

No. (http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsnews/0210nd9.htm)

[kerfer]

Originally posted by Dr Adequate
The fastest ever saint was St Stephanos of Corinth. When he was threatened with martyrdom in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, God miraculously granted him the power to run like buggery. He is celebrated as the patron saint of track athletes, abject cowards, and the French military.

:dl:

That's excellent...

[richardm]

Originally posted by Darat
She isn’t a saint yet (I don’t think I've missed that have I?)


Oh yes, that's right! My mistake :)

Well, I still think we're going to see JP2 fast tracked through the salon with indecent haste. Put bluntly it's a fast, modern world with fast, modern communications, and people want to see things happening now, not in 150 years time.

As we speak letters about purported miracles are flooding in, whereas in the not-too-distant past I should imagine that most people in the world would hardly have known that he'd popped his clogs just three months down the line.


As well as reading statements from believers, the commission will investigate John Paul's words and deeds to establish that he led a holy life.


[eric idle] He was the bleedin' Pope! 'Ow much more 'Oly do you want?[/eric idle]

[Darat]

Originally posted by richardm
Oh yes, that's right! My mistake :)

Well, I still think we're going to see JP2 fast tracked through the salon with indecent haste. Put bluntly it's a fast, modern world with fast, modern communications, and people want to see things happening now, not in 150 years time.

As we speak letters about purported miracles are flooding in, whereas in the not-too-distant past I should imagine that most people in the world would hardly have known that he'd popped his clogs just three months down the line.

[eric idle] He was the bleedin' Pope! 'Ow much more 'Oly do you want?[/eric idle]

I think that’s a good point however the RCC hasn’t changed the rules to reflect such a change in communications but made an exception for JP.

That's what I find curious and what my OP is about. Personally I can't think of (and of course that doesn’t mean there isn’t) any reason bar a PR reason for making the exception for JP. There seems to be no religious reason.

(Edited for lots of words.)

[richardm]

Originally posted by Darat
I can't think of (and of course that doesn’t mean there isn’t) any reason bar a PR reason for making the exception for JP. There seems to be no religious reason.


I think it must be a purely PR thing: "Give 'em what they want"

[Darat]

Originally posted by richardm
I think it must be a purely PR thing: "Give 'em what they want"

Nah - that would have been the Pope saying "We were wrong johnnies are OK!"

(Yep that was cynical.)

[Nucular]

Originally posted by richardm
As we speak letters about purported miracles are flooding in, whereas in the not-too-distant past I should imagine that most people in the world would hardly have known that he'd popped his clogs just three months down the line.Ah he's done loads of miracles - I saw him on TV in 1987, then when I went to make a cup of tea there was a BENT SPOON in the drawer! Explain that, sceptics, with all your precious science.

Here's the Amazing Johnny-P enjoying another of his regular miracles, the old pigeon-from-the-empty-sleeve miracle. Just look at his little face, he's loving it.

http://www.funnyhub.com/pictures/img/pope-vs-pigeon.jpg

[Darat]

Originally posted by Nucular
Ah he's done loads of miracles - I saw him on TV in 1987, then when I went to make a cup of tea there was a BENT SPOON in the drawer! Explain that, sceptics, with all your precious science.

Here's the Amazing Johnny-P enjoying another of his regular miracles, the old pigeon-from-the-empty-sleeve miracle. Just look at his little face, he's loving it.

http://www.funnyhub.com/pictures/img/pope-vs-pigeon.jpg

It must be a miracle! I thought he was dead when the Jackson trail result was announced!