Are canonizations of saints infallible?

[Ana_v]

Do canonizations have the guarantee of infallibility? If one had to categorize the canonization of a person, under faith or morals, most logically it would fall under faith, since it pertains to the Church Triumphant and communion of saints.

The reason I ask, is because I would like to have a discussion on CAF (as a continuation or extension to this thread) about the forthcoming canonization of Pope John Paul II, in itself, but also in relation to Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation. However, I do not want to be the cause of scandal, and so I would like to ask for opinions as to whether objections or critical questions, regarding a pope (specifically, his actions, not his soul or person), living or dead, on a public forum such as this, should be avoided?

Clearly we have no problem criticizing the “bad popes” or popes whose reign were centuries ago. Is there a different “rule” that applies to modern/ contemporary popes?

 

[Genesis315]

Canonizations are called “dogmatic facts” and and are given as an example of things taught infallibly by the Church according to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. ewtn.com/library/curia/cdfadtu.htm

Also, during the canonization rite, this petition is made to the Pope:

“Most Holy Father, Holy Church, trusting in the Lord’s promise to send upon her the Spirit of Truth, who in every age keeps the Supreme Magisterium free from error, most earnestly beseeches Your Holiness to enroll these, her elect, among the saints.”

However, it seems generally held that all that would be infallible is whether the person is in Heaven and not the reasons for the canonization.

 

[tafan]

Do canonizations have the guarantee of infallibility? If one had to categorize the canonization of a person, under faith or morals, most logically it would fall under faith, since it pertains to the Church Triumphant and communion of saints.

The reason I ask, is because I would like to have a discussion on CAF (as a continuation or extension to this thread) about the forthcoming canonization of Pope John Paul II, in itself, but also in relation to Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation. However, I do not want to be the cause of scandal, and so I would like to ask for opinions as to whether objections or critical questions, regarding a pope (specifically, his actions, not his soul or person), living or dead, on a public forum such as this, should be avoided?

Clearly we have no problem criticizing the “bad popes” or popes whose reign were centuries ago. Is there a different “rule” that applies to modern/ contemporary popes?

I am not 100% positive about the guarantee of infallibility, I believe canonizations are held to be definitive, though not divinely revealed. By definitive, that means the Church is not going to change Her mind and it also means we must hold to it as part of our faith. I could be wrong on this.

Nevertheless, for the time being, it seems to be a moot point. The canonizations have not yet occurred, so it seems to me that a discussion can be held on them as long as proper respect for all (including Pope Francis who apparently has made up his mind on the matter and is our Pope) and nothing slanderous or malicious is said about Pope John Paul II.

 

[Neofight]

Canonization only codifies the Church’s belief that the person’s soul who was sainted by the Church is in heaven.

while I personally would accept the Church’s contention, God is the only one who holds the definitive answer to who is with Him in Heaven, who is in Purgatory awaiting entry into the arms of The Lord, and who has rendered themselves eternally separated from God and cast into the eternal fires of hell.

 

[Joe_5859]

Pretty much every theologian I’ve ever seen comment on it answers that canonizations are infallible declarations from the Holy Father that the person is in heaven.

Think if that were not the case. Then it would leave it up to every individual Catholic to work through whether they thought each individual canonization was legitimate or not. That’s not a path I’d recommend people going down.

 

[Polycarp1]

Canonizations are called “dogmatic facts” and and are given as an example of things taught infallibly by the Church according to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. ewtn.com/library/curia/cdfadtu.htm

Also, during the canonization rite, this petition is made to the Pope:

“Most Holy Father, Holy Church, trusting in the Lord’s promise to send upon her the Spirit of Truth, who in every age keeps the Supreme Magisterium free from error, most earnestly beseeches Your Holiness to enroll these, her elect, among the saints.”

However, it seems generally held that all that would be infallible is whether the person is in Heaven and not the reasons for the canonization.

I thought that the doctrine of Infallibility was limited to matters of faith and morals spoken from the chair of Peter. Would canonizations be matters of Faith as included in this?

 

[Joe_5859]

I thought that the doctrine of Infallibility was limited to matters of faith and morals spoken from the chair of Peter. Would canonizations be matters of Faith as included in this?

I wouldn’t say that the doctrine of infallibility is limited to that specific form. That is one specific way that has been formally defined as a way for papal infallibility to be exercised. But it doesn’t mean that’s the only way the Church speaks infallibly.

 

[mymamamary]

**I would hold that the Canonizations of Saints are infallible. It is the reason why careful, prayerful deliberation is made, and the case of the Candidate is reviewed twice by a Theological council, only after having the miracles attributed to the Candidate reviewed and accepted as supernatural by the appropriate scientific authorities, twice in both cases. From then the Holy Father has to give His “green-light” to the cause, after he himself has reviewed the cause. It is why the miracles that are sought after the Candidates name are double checked to ensure that nothing is natural. The Holy Father cannot even make the slightest mistake throughout the process when it comes to canonization. The adding to the name of a Saint to the Canon of Saints is of great importance. The person “Canonized” is given a Mass, Feast day and other such devotions in His/Her honor. To think that someone who in fact became damned would be canonized as a Saint because of the lack of infallibility is frightening (add to the fact that everything that concerns the Church Triumphant would become an uncertainty, such as if the Saint ever existed, if they really are Saints, if They were indeed holy etc.). That would mean that the Person spending an eternity in hell would merit a Mass in their honor. No, the Pope cannot err on such matters. I ask You to look up the Formula of the Solemn declaration of Canonization. The Holy father invokes the authority of the Office of St. Peter with a very solemn prayer. Therefore I highly believe that the Canonization of a Saint is an infallible declaration. Perhaps the beatification is not infallible, but the canonization certainly is. **

 

[Zekariya]

For it has not been said to them, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” They who rule on earth have indeed authority to bind, but only the body: whereas this binding lays hold of the soul and penetrates the heavens; and what priests do here below God ratifies above, and the Master confirms the sentence of his servants. For indeed what is it but all manner of heavenly authority which He has given them when He says, “Whose sins ye remit they are remitted, and whose sins ye retain they are retained?” What authority could be greater than this? “The Father hath committed all judgment to the Son?” But I see it all put into the hands of these men by the Son. - St John Chrysostom, On the Priesthood, Book 3:5

The above quote is speaking on penance but, I believe the principle applies here as well. The Pope is the successor to St Peter and holds the keys of the kingdom. If the Pope declares someone a saint, God certainly ratifies it.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Regarding possible future canonizations of particular individuals, what would be the point of such a discussion, seeing as we don’t get to vote?