Chesterton’s lack of temperance could block his canonization

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No reflection on Chesterton, but I thought that one element of consideration for canonization related to whether there was a “popular cult” (in its technical sense) or similar following / devotion to the individual. Apart from admiration for his writings, has Chesterton attracted this kind of spiritual following?
 
Chesterton doesn’t have to be saint in order for his to be a Catholic genius.
 
I’m impressed he was able to accomplish so much if he was struggling this way. Given he was 400lbs this would mean he could consume a lot more alcohol to have the same blood alcohol content as a average (180-200) pound man. But having said that, intemperance is intemperance I guess.

I know this person can’t throw stones. :o
 
Very interesting story. I suppose the question is whether Mr. Chesterton lived an “exemplary Christian life” or not? Since according to this article, he was “intemperate” not only with alcohol, but tobacco and food as well, I suppose the question is whether we view his behavior through the paradigm of sin, or whether we charitably view him as the victim of an addiction, and that as an addict, that greatly mitigated his culpability.

But even if GKC did NOT commit the mortal sin of gluttony, I suppose you could question whether any addictions or medical issues (seems he likely suffered from heart failure), mitigated his culpability enough that he didn’t even commit venial sins. But then again, per Catholic theology, the ONLY human sinless saint was Mary (I don’t know what the teaching is on angel).
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
No reflection on Chesterton, but I thought that one element of consideration for canonization related to whether there was a “popular cult” (in its technical sense) or similar following / devotion to the individual. Apart from admiration for his writings, has Chesterton attracted this kind of spiritual following?
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I seem to recall reading, back when the cause for his beatification was first introduced, that there had been many requests from Latin America, of all places, for his cause. This was years ago and I can’t cite the source of that story.

I do know that there are some Catholic writers/thinkers who consider Chesterton to have been holy; they contributed some essays to a book titled “The Holiness of G. K. Chesterton” which you can read about here: gracewing.co.uk/page111.html
 
Gilbert on drinking:

“Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable. Never drink when you are wretched without it, or you will be like the grey-faced gin-drinker in the slum; but drink when you would be happy without it, and you will be like the laughing peasant of Italy. Never drink because you need it, for this is rational drinking, and the way to death and hell. But drink because you do not need it, for this is irrational drinking, and the ancient health of the world.”

I’ll drink to that. 👍
 
tomarin said:
Gilbert on drinking:

“Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable. Never drink when you are wretched without it, or you will be like the grey-faced gin-drinker in the slum; but drink when you would be happy without it, and you will be like the laughing peasant of Italy. Never drink because you need it, for this is rational drinking, and the way to death and hell. But drink because you do not need it, for this is irrational drinking, and the ancient health of the world.”

I’ll drink to that. 👍
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Yes - that’s great advice on alcohol.
 
Chayla said:
I think that the “intemperate” primarily dealt with the heavy drinking.
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Is there any actual evidence of his intemperate drinking? Because the only evidence seems to be: 1). He wrote favorably about alcohol and 2). He was fat.

That ain’t a case.
 
Scottgun said:
Is there any actual evidence of his intemperate drinking? Because the only evidence seems to be: 1). He wrote favorably about alcohol and 2). He was fat.

That ain’t a case.
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I recall in his biography that he enjoyed drinking with friends in pubs but I didn’t get the impression he was in any way a “problem drinker.”
 
Scottgun said:
Is there any actual evidence of his intemperate drinking? Because the only evidence seems to be: 1). He wrote favorably about alcohol and 2). He was fat.

That ain’t a case.
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My statement is based on what I read in the link. So, if the author of that article is correct, than GKC was indeed an excessive drinker. (see below, from the link)

“…When Chesterton visited Notre Dame to deliver a series of lectures, a professor remembered him drinking “ale by the quart.” …” Hard drinking friend Hilaire Belloc, as he aged, could only handle one bottle of wine. Chesterton’s daily intake of wine, according to Ward, was now “several bottles.”
 
Scottgun said:
Wow. Fat = intemperate?
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If that is the case, we will have to de-canonize St. Thomas Aquinas, who was a pretty hefty guy (he likened himself to an ox, and would not ride on a donkey for fear of harming it.

I would suspect that he and many other saints who were in monastic orders would have a few drinks.
 
Holiness comes in all sizes …
There was a priest in one of my former parishes who should never ride a horse; I’d be a lot more scared for the horse than for him. That said, he was quite holy and down to earth and I was told by others that one glass of wine with dinner was the extent of his drinking. Just have to say he really filled out his vestments.

Regarding Chesterton, an excellent writer and a considerable influence on my return to the Church. He wasn’t perfect? He drank too much? No one is perfect, saints went to confession like the rest of us. No denying he did his bit to save souls for the Church. Can any of us say the same?
 
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