Originally posted by Conrau Kwho decides on who becomes a Saint, is it the pope himself,
I would expect that answer from you. You are not Orthodox or Catholic.
who was the last person to become a Saint?
is it possible to become a saint in ones own lifetime, like if you are particularly revered, like Gandhi or Mother Teresa?
Originally posted by robbie carrobieA saint in the broad sense is anyone in heaven. So of course anyone could be a saint. It is then fitting to some Christians to pray to deceased relatives.
who decides on who becomes a Saint, is it the pope himself,
who was the last person to become a Saint?
is it possible to become a saint in ones own lifetime, like if you are particularly revered, like Gandhi or Mother Teresa?
In the juridical sense, a saint is anyone whom the Church approves for public devotion. Such a person must have shown heroic virtue in their life and have two miracles attributed to them. Only the Pope approves such people. The last people to become saints were canonised only last month. From memory, I think there were five.
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesI am sure many do have acumen. I was only suggesting that since you doubt the efficacy of prayer in the first place, you would have even greater challenges understanding the devotion of praying to saints.
Are you suggesting that Catholics and Orthodox Christians don't have the requisite acumen to deduce that they are committed to the stated dilemma?
Originally posted by robbie carrobieI'm not up to date on these things but I'm pretty sure the Pope does
who decides on who becomes a Saint, is it the pope himself,
who was the last person to become a Saint?
is it possible to become a saint in ones own lifetime, like if you are particularly revered, like Gandhi or Mother Teresa?
not decide. It's a committee of sorts that do it.
There used to be a rule about a person being dead for a number of
years before they could become a saint. In some cases it was centuries.
(The must be a room in Heaven for saint's in waiting).
I think the previous Pope, John Paul, is going to be made saint.
(or is he already?)
Originally posted by greenpawn34Even though he knew about the rampant child molestation and didn't exercise his authority to put a stop to the relocation of the guilty priests? It seems like at the very least, a saint wouldn't turn a blind eye to that sort of thing taking place in an organization that he was in charge of.
I think the previous Pope, John Paul, is going to be made saint.
Originally posted by Conrau KSo the Pope knows who is in heaven.
A saint in the broad sense is anyone in heaven. So of course anyone could be a saint. It is then fitting to some Christians to pray to deceased relatives.
In the juridical sense, a saint is anyone whom the Church approves for public devotion. Such a person must have shown heroic virtue in their life and have two miracles attributed to them. Only the Pop ...[text shortened]... st people to become saints were canonised only last month. From memory, I think there were five.
Praying to deceased relatives.
Approval for public devotion.
Is any of that Biblical ?
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesRelocation to another place just means a fresh batch of boys to molest. Those guilty priests should be relocated to jail.
Even though he knew about the rampant child molestation and didn't exercise his authority to put a stop to the relocation of the guilty priests? It seems like at the very least, a saint wouldn't turn a blind eye to that sort of thing taking place in an organization that he was in charge of.
Originally posted by Rajk999No; the Pope does not know who is heaven. However, it is the Pope who ultimately approves a candidate for sainthood. This is after a long process of investigation, sometimes hundreds of years.
So the Pope knows who is in heaven.
Praying to deceased relatives.
Approval for public devotion.
Is any of that Biblical ?
Is any of that Biblical ?
I'm not sure. Possibly. But the point is irrelevant since the Catholic Church does not judge the soundness of a doctrine merely by Scripture. It takes into account the Patristic teachings, the sensus fidelium and the pronouncements of the ecumenical councils. This is true also of the Orthodox churches, although the declaration of a saint is jointly approved by a Synod.
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesHe did actually implement new measures in the wake of the abuse scandal. Since then, it is now obligatory that anyone who wants to enter a seminary or religious life must undergo psychological tests.
Even though he knew about the rampant child molestation and didn't exercise his authority to put a stop to the relocation of the guilty priests? It seems like at the very least, a saint wouldn't turn a blind eye to that sort of thing taking place in an organization that he was in charge of.