Vatican toughens up the journey to sainthood.

Cathcon translation of Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins: Seligsprechung von Papst Pius XII- The beatification of Pius XII is not shelved

Interview about upcoming canonisations and beatifications

ROM, 1 February 2008 .- In an interview in today's edition of the Italian newspaper Avvenire, the Prefect of the Congregation responsible for beatifications and canonisations, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins discusses among other things, the status of several pending proceedings.

Thus, the process of beatification of Pope Pius XII is neither delayed nor shelved. The Cardinal pointed out that this year is the 50th anniversary of the death of Pius XII. For this reason there will be various initiatives, including a thorough research in the Vatican archives. This could only benefit the beatification process of Pius XII, he added. Pope Benedict XVI has already recognised the heroic virtues of his predecessor (1939-1958).

Eagerly awaited in France, the beatification of the parents of St. Theresa of Lisieux, the Venerable Martin and Azelia Guerin, whose heroic virtues were confirmed in 1994, cannot, according to Saraiva Martins, be viewed as imminent. The miracle of 2002 has been investigated by the Medical Committee, but must now be theologically analysed.

In the process for the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, the Medical Commission of the Congregation currently considering the alleged miracle of the year 2000. For this reason, it still requires some time. If the miracle is recognized, it would be an event of great importance, particularly in the area of ecumenism.

Cardinal Saraiva Martins also spoke about the new "Instructions for the handling of Diocesan and Eparchial Investigations during Beatification and Canonisation Processes". The instruction is entitled "Sanctorum Mater" and has not been formally presented.

With this new document, the Congregation intends to clarify existing provisions and their application to facilitate and specifically indicate how they will apply both for the existing processes as well as for those newly launched. In the document, the Cardinal said, all procedures will be explained with great care that the Dioceses have to follow in their investigations of sanctity. There will be thus an even more stringent evaluation of the cases.