The following comes from a March 10 Catholic News Agency article by Elise Harris:
Pope Francis has issued new guidelines for ensuring financial transparency in advancing causes of beatification and canonization, requiring both an administrator to oversee the process and annual budget checks.
The new rules govern the way funds for causes of canonization or beatification are both established and managed, particularly for what is called the “Roman phase” of cause.
The Roman phase follows the initial collection of evidence of the person’s life and sanctity at the diocesan level, as well as the preparation of a “position” paper, which is frequently thousands of pages long and includes the details of the proposed saint’s earthly life. The report is then presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which takes over for the “Roman phase” of the process.
The rules call for an administrator to be named by the “actor” of the cause, meaning the entity who initially asked the Church to open it. The person nominated can also be the postulator of the cause, and must be approved by the local bishop.
One of the primary tasks of the administrator is manage the funds allocated for the cause, and to make sure the use of the money “scrupulously respects” the intention of the donors.
Expenses are involved in the process of canonization because of the work involved in investigating the candidate’s life and writings, gathering and evaluating testimonies, the involvement of medical experts in verifying miraculous healings, as well as the cost of celebrations of beatification or canonization.
Wouldn’t you know, the beatification process for Popes John XXIII, and John Paul II were ramrodded through, and now the Holy Father wants to change the rules. For several centuries there was a balanced, and well thought out process, but it was streamlined. Anything for a fast buck. Ave Maria Purrissima !
Does this mean that in the V2 Church they think they can buy there way into heaven?
Tom, first of all, there is no such thing as “the V2 Church”. There is one holy catholic and apostolic Church. Secondly, this is not an indication that anyone can buy their way into heaven. However, the multi-year investigation into the lives and interventions of potential saints is expensive, and up until now, with costs into the millions to pay for the canon lawyers and investigators, and their travels to Rome and back. But there has been no transparency, and there has been a tendency to canonize saints connected with the larger, richer religious orders.