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 BEATIFICATION

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BEATIFICATION

These words of St. Thomas, as is e%'ident from the authorities just cited, all favouring a positive in- fallibility, have been interpreted by his school in favour of papal infallibility in the matter of canoniza- tion, and this interpretation is supported by several other passages in the same Quodlibet. This infalli- bility, however, according to the holy doctor, is only a point of pious belief. Theologians generally agree as to the fact of papal infallibilty in this matter of canonization, but disagree as to the quality of certitude due to a papal decree in such matter. In the opinion of some it is of faith (Arriaga, De fide, disp. 9, § 5, n" 27); others hold that to refuse assent to such a judgment of the Holy See would be both impious and rash, as Suarez (De fide, disp. 5, § 8, n" 8); many more (and this is the general view) hold such a pronouncement to be theologically certain, not being of Divine Faith as its purport has not been immediately revealed, nor of ecclesiastical Faith as ha\'ing thus far not been defined by the Church.

What is the object of this infallible judgment of the pope? Does he define that the person canonized is in heaven or only that he has practised Christian virtues in an heroic degree? I have never seen tliis question discussed; my o-mi opinion is that nothing else is defined than that the person canonized is in heaven. The formula used in the act of canonization has nothing more than this: "In honour of . . . we decree and define that Blessed N. is a Saint, and we inscribe his name in the catalogue of saints, and order that his memory be devoutly and piously cele- brated yearly on the . . . day of . . . his feast." (Ad honorem . . . beatum N. Sanctum esse decernimus et definimus ac sanctorum catalogo adscribimus statuentes ab eeclesia universali illius memoriam quolibet anno, die ejus natali . . . pia devotione recoli debere.) There is no question of heroic N'irtue in this formula; on the other hand, sanctity does not necessarily imply the exercise of heroic virtue, since one who had not hitherto practised heroic virtue would, by the one transient heroic act in which he yielded up his life for Christ, have justly deserved to be considered a saint. Tliis \-iew seems all the more certain if we reflect that all the arguments of theologians for papal infallibility in the canonization of saints are based on the fact that on such occasions the popes believe and assert that the decision which they publish is infallible (Pesch, PrEel. Dogm., I, 552).

This general agreement of theologians as to papal infallibility in canonization must not be extended to beatification, notwithstanding the contrary tcacliing of the canonical commentary known as "Glossa" [in cap. un. de reliquiis et venerat. SS. (Ill, 22) in 6; Innocent., Comm. in quinque Decretalium libros, tit. de reliquiis, etc., n° 4; Ostiensis in eunid. tit. n° 10; Felini, cap. lii, De testibus, etc., X (II, 20); Caietani, tract. De indulgentiis adversus Lutherum ad Julium Mediceum; Augustini de Ancona, sen Triumphi, De potestate eccl., Q. xiv, a. 4]. Canonists and theologi- ans generally deny the infallible character of decrees of beatification, whether formal or equivalent, since it is always a permission, not a command; while it leads to canonization, it is not the last step. More- over, in most cases, the cultus permitted by beatifica- tion is restricted to a determined province, city, or religious body (Benedict XIV, op. cit., I, xlii). Some, however, have thought otherwise (Arriaga, Theol., V, disp. 7, § (i; Amicus, Theol., IV, disp. 7, §4, n° 98; Turrianus on II-II, V, disp. 17, n" 6; Del Bene, De S. Inquisit. II, dub. 254).

Pkesen't Procedure in Causes of Beatification A.Ni) Canonization. — We must first distinguish causes of martyrs from those of confessors or virgins, since the method followed is not entirely identical in both cases.

(a) The Beatification oj Confessors. — In order to

secure beatification (the most important and diffi- cult step in the process of canonization) the regular procedure is as follows:

(1 ) Choosing of a vice-postulator by the postulator- general of the cause, to promote all the judicial in- quiries necessarj' in places outside of Rome. Such inquiries are instituted by the local episcopal au- thority.

(2) The preparation of the inquiries (processus), all of which are carried on by the ordinary episcopal authority. They are of three kinds: Injormative inquiries regard the reputation for sanctity and miracles of the servants of God, not only ia general, but also in particular instances; there may be sev- eral such inquiries if the witnesses to be examined belong to different dioceses. Processes de non cuUu are instituted to prove that the decrees of Urban VIII regarding the proliibition of public worship of ser- vants of God before their beatification have been obeyed; they are generally conducted by the bishop of the place where the relics of the servant of God are preserved. Other inquiries are known as Processiculi diligcrUiarum and have for their object the writings attributed to the person whose beatification is in question; they vary in number according to the dio- ceses where such writings are found, or are thought likely to be found, and may not be judicially executed before an "Instruction" is obtained from the pro- motor of the Faith by the postulator-general and by him sent to the bishop in question.

(3) The re-'iults of all these inquiries are sent to Rome, to the Congregation of Rites, in charge of a messenger (portitor) chosen by the judges, or by some other secure way, in case a rescript of the congrega- tion dispenses from the obligation of sending a mes- senger.

(4) They are opened, translated if necessarj- into Italian, a public copy is made, and a cardinal is de- puted by the pope as relator or ponens of the cause, for all which steps rescripts of the congregation, con- firmed by the pope, must be obtained.

(5) The writings of the servant of God are next revised by theologians appointed by the cardinal relator himself, authorized to so act by a special re- script. Meantime, the advocate and the procurator of the cau.se, chosen by the postulator-general, have prepared all the documents that concern the intro- duction of the cause (positio sitpir introductionc caiisw). These consist of (o) a summary of the in- formative processes, (|3) an information, (7) answers to the observations or difficulties of the promoter of the Faith sent by him to the postulator.

(6) This collection of documents (positio) is printed and distributed to the cardinals of the Congregation of Rites forty days before the date assigned for their discussion.

(7) If nothing contrary to faith and morals is found in the writings of the servant of God, a decree is published authorizing further action (quod in causA procedi possil ad ulteriora), i. e. the discussion of the matter (dubium) of appointment or non- appointment of a commis.sion for the introduction of the cause.

(8) At the time fixed by the Congregation of Riles an ordinary meeting (congregatio) is held in which this appointment is debated by the cardinals of the aforesaid congregation and its officials, but without the vote or participation of the consultors, though this privilege is always granted them by rescri[)t.

(9) If in this meeting the cardinals favour the ap- pointment of the aforesaid commission, a decree to that effect is promulgated, and the pope signs il, but, according to custom, with his baptismal name, not with that of his pontificate. Thenceforward the servant of God is judicially given the titleof Venerable.

(10) A petition is then presented asking remi.s- .sorial letters for bishops in partibus (outside of Rome),