That was not my point, not by a long shot. A large following, like in the hundreds of millions only assure attention to the issue, as saints serve as role models. The Arian controversy is really irrelevant as canonization now is an exercise of the charism of infallibility.
Well, my point in bringing up Arianism was to demonstrate that if numbers mean something, then we should all be Arians now. I believe it is quite relevant as the putting down of heresy IS the role of St. Peter’s successor - and he should infallibly do so when necessary.
ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/CACANONI.htm
Note this does not extend to beatification.
Yes, I am aware it does not extend to beatification, thank you for acknowledging that too.
As to the role of the promotor fidei in the role of canonization, I think it should suffice that the Holy Father, who has absolute authority in this matter, has determined that such a role is not to have a place in the process. I question the whether it is prudent to try and take that role upon oneself.
And I have said all along that our answer may be reduced to just that. If St. Peter’s successor so binds something, then it is bound on earth as well as in heaven and therefore cannot be in error - for the Holy Ghost would not permit such an error to be bound in heaven.
My point in bringing this up at this time is that we’re still not in the realm of an infallible pronouncement regarding Bl. Pope John Paul II. If there are defenses for the things I have questioned - then we should ALL be prepared with those defenses. If there is no defense for these questions, then no matter how we feel emotionally about Bl. Pope John Paul II - we cannot support the continuation of the canonization process. And again, I say this as one who attributes at least part of my conversion to Catholicism on JPII, but no matter how much “good” he’s done - IF there’s been “bad” and IF we cannot defend him against the “bad” - then we have no business just blindly promoting his canonization process purely on the (selfish) basis that he, somehow, made us feel better.
I, for one, would like to promote someone like Abp. Sheen - whose character, so far as I know, is impeccable. The same would be true of Bl. Padre Pio. Their reach was not as worldwide as Bl. JPII, but then again - we’ve pretty much already dismissed this as a numbers thing - at least for the 21st century.
In JMJ,
Scott<<<
PS- I’m truly not trying to offend anyone here - I want to find good answers to the challenges out there - as we WILL be faced with them, whether we bury our heads in the sand at this time or not.
