Cause for canonization of Queen Katherine of Aragon taken up by Georgia resident

[Redbaron998]

The article was in OSV July 24th edition. You can see the full article online if you are a registered subscriber at:

osv.com/tabid/7623/itemid/8187/OSV-Newsweekly-July-24-2011.aspx

The article comments about how Georgia resident, Gregory Nassif St. John, has written a paper and contacted the bishops of Bishop Michaeal Evans of East Anglia (the diocese where Katharine died and is buried) and Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster who have responded positively about the cause. They both emphasized the need for a grass routes devotion for the cause to be taken up by the diocese.

Gregory Nassift St. John has created this website: katharineofaragon.com/wordpress/

The website includes his position paper and a petition for the cause to be officially taken up by her diocese.

 

[barb_finnegan]

That’s interesting-from GEORGIA? Do you mean, Georgia, as in the US state of that name?

I think I heard something to this effect somewhere else.

If a royal from the past deserves to be canonized, it’s Queen Katherine of Aragon. She had a lot to put up with Henry VIII. And she was definitely a daughter of the great Isabella the Catholic in her strength and holiness of character!

I think the OP meant ‘grass roots’ instead of ‘grass routes’.

 

[aicirt]

Katherine should become the patron saint of those whose spouses have abandoned them for another. We have too many getting divorces.

Now how does this work? Three miracles must occur for her to be canonized. Does this happen after she is chosen, when she becomes Blessed Katherine or what? And do the miracles have to be physical cures? I’m thinking it would be wonderful if a large number of those seeking divorce should suddenly reconcile. Just a thought.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

Katherine should become the patron saint of those whose spouses have abandoned them for another. We have too many getting divorces.

Now how does this work? Three miracles must occur for her to be canonized. Does this happen after she is chosen, when she becomes Blessed Katherine or what? And do the miracles have to be physical cures? I’m thinking it would be wonderful if a large number of those seeking divorce should suddenly reconcile. Just a thought.

Only two miracles are currently required, one for beatification and one after the beatification for canonization. They must be medical cures, not “moral miracles” and the like.

 

[Dale_M]

I’m not sure of the process required, but the website mentioned in the first post says that the bishop of East Anglia, England needs to be convinced.

In order for a cause to be promoted it must be put forth by the bishop of the diocese in which the person died; in this case, the Bishop of East Anglia. A grassroots movement of interested parties is the initial justification a bishop needs to begin the process formally

katharineofaragon.com/wordpress/the-petition/

He is organizing an online petition, but I don’t know if it will be taken too seriously. There doesn’t seem to be any way of verifying that each signature is a unique person. I wonder how easy will be to organize a grassroots effort overseas?

For those (such as myself) who do not have access to the OSV article because you are not subscribers, here is a different article from two months ago:

It’s one thing to feel sympathy for Katharine, but how does one go about making her a saint? Encouraged by his parish priest, Nassif St. John wrote to Michael Evans, the Catholic bishop of East Anglia, (the diocese where Katharine died and where she lies buried) and Vincent Nichols, Catholic archbishop of Westminster, seeking their advice. Archbishop Nichols and Bishop Evans both expressed their support for the cause, but emphasized that there must be clear evidence of devotion to Katharine. In other words, there must be proof that people venerate Katharine’s memory and consider her saintly.

That evidence has been supplied by Charles Taylor, Dean of the Anglican diocese of Peterborough, England. Every year, about the time of the anniversary of Katharine’s death, the clergy of Peterborough Cathedral (site of Katharine’s grave) host a three-day commemoration of this holy but cast-off queen. There is an ecumenical memorial service in the cathedral, a candlelight procession to Katharine’s grave, and a Catholic Mass offered at the High Altar.

spectator.org/archives/2011/05/24/an-american-saint-maker/print#

However, more than that is needed, the article says.

 

[Fink]

Anyone for Mary, Queen of Scots? She died a martyr`s death, thanks to “Good Queen Bess”.

 

[Robert_Bay]

Articles that start threads should be open to all to read and comment upon.