Sainthood Miracles No Longer Needed For Canonization? Pope Francis Waives Church Law For John XXIII

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/16/saint-miracles_n_3600402.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

..."But for John XXIII, Francis decided to waive the church law that requires a second miracle in order to be named a saint. Asked how John XXIII could be named a saint without the required second miracle, the Vatican’s chief spokesman said “no one doubts his virtues.”

With that rare, if not unprecedented, move, Francis has rekindled a years-old debate in Catholic circles, with some asking whether miracles are really needed for sainthood anymore.

“I think it is time to drop the miracle requirement,” says the Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit priest who is a senior analyst for the National Catholic Reporter.

“It is sufficient to look at a person’s life and ask, did this person live the life of a Christian in a special or extraordinary way that can be held up for admiration and imitation by other Christians?...”

Bridget Mary's Response:Anyone who makes it to heaven is a saint! They are part of the communion of the saints. So, my guess is there is a whole lot of saints up there including many of our family members and friends. It is ok with me if Vatican moves away from the two miracle requirement. I was surprised that Pope Benedict canonized two excommunicated nuns:Mother Theodore Guerin and Mother Mary McKillop. Let's celebrate that Catholicism is really a big tent where popes and rebel nuns, condemned by the hierarchy are held up as models of holiness. We should rejoice and celebrate all the saints in heaven, not just the canonized ones who have the Vatican good house-keeping seal of approval known as canonization! Now I wonder how long it will take the Vatican to canonize some Roman Catholic Women Priests! Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org