In the early
centuries there was no formal canonization
as we have it today, but public cult was
given especially to the martyrs, which was,
later, recognized by the local Bishop. It
was only in the 12th century, under Pope
Alexander 1I1 (1159-1181), that the canonization
of saints was reserved to the Apostolic
See.
Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590) assigned a special
congregation called the sacred congregation
of Rites to deal with the process of can-
onization. The legislations of Pope Urban
VIII and later of Pope Benedict XIV form
the basis of the canonization process, which
was later codified in the code of canon
Law(CIC, 1999-2141). This was in vigour
till 1983.
According to this the canonization process
consisted of 4 steps: 1 )The informative
process conducted in the diocese where the Servant of God died, under the auspices
of the local bishop; 2) introduction of
the cause in the Roman Curia; 3) Apostolic
Process; 4) Four judgments followed by the
approval of Pope, namely judgement on the
validity of Apostolic process, judgement
on the heroic virtues practised by the Servant
of God, judgement on the authenticity
of the miracles and approval by the Pope.
When these four steps are successfully completed,
the Pope issues the decree declaring the
Servant of God "Blessed'.' The ceremony
declaring the Blessed is called" Beatification
ceremony,' which is presided over by the
Pope himself.
The next step is canonization. In order
to take up the cause of canonization, the
Church demands, according to CIC, two miracles
wrought through the intercession of the
Blessed concerned, duly proved and approved
by the competent departments of the sacred
congregation and finally approved by the
pope.
There is a marked difference between beatification
and canonization. The decree of beatification
issued by the Pope is not a declaration
ex cathedra, whereas the decree of canonization
is an ex cathedra declaration, involving
the infallibility of the Pope.
Another point of difference is regarding
cult and liturgical service. Though the
one who is declared Blessed is worthy of
public cult, this is restricted to diocese
or the dioceses where the blessed was born
and died. If the Blessed belonged to a religious
congregation, liturgical celebration is
permitted in all the communities of the
particular congregation wherever they be.
After Vatican Council II, the congregation
that deals with the canonization process is
called the Congregation for the cause of
Saints. According to the new legislation
promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1983,
the so called apostolic process is
abolished. The diocesan process conducted under the
authority of the local Bishop is considered
final as regards the informative process.
Instead of two miracles, as demanded in the
previous legislation, now only one miracle
is required both for beatification and
canonization.
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