?s re canonization

[PoliSciProf]

Two quick questions for CAF members:

1. Is a Devil’s Advocate still appointed when the Church investigates a candidate for sainthood? If so, what are the qualifications for appointment and how exactly does he give his (name removed by moderator)ut? Can a lay person be a DA and, if so, can the DA be a woman, perhaps a nun?
2. Is the proclamation of sainthood an exercise of papal infallibility?

Thanks for your thoughtful responses.

 

[RPRPsych]

Two quick questions for CAF members:

1. Is a Devil’s Advocate still appointed when the Church investigates a candidate for sainthood? If so, what are the qualifications for appointment and how exactly does he give his (name removed by moderator)ut? Can a lay person be a DA and, if so, can the DA be a woman, perhaps a nun?

No, I believe this office was abolished by Pope John Paul II.

1. Is the proclamation of sainthood an exercise of papal infallibility?

Yes, because it makes a statement about the final destiny of an individual man or woman - something that is ordinarily known only to God.

 

[Cojuanco]

When there was a Promoter of the Faith, IIRC they could appoint whomever they saw fit.

 

[powerofk]

Two quick questions for CAF members:

1. Is a Devil’s Advocate still appointed when the Church investigates a candidate for sainthood? If so, what are the qualifications for appointment and how exactly does he give his (name removed by moderator)ut? Can a lay person be a DA and, if so, can the DA be a woman, perhaps a nun?

The Devil’s Advocate, or “Defender of the Faith”, as the person was known, was dropped by JPII. This is often attributed (along with the decrease in miracles from five? to two) as one of the reasons why JPII canonized more saints than had been canonized by all popes combined in the prior 500 years. This person was a canon lawyer, often a layman. It was often said that the “Defender of the Faith” actually prayed that he would LOSE - though he tried his hardest to disprove the person’s saintliness.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Two quick questions for CAF members:

1. Is a Devil’s Advocate still appointed when the Church investigates a candidate for sainthood? If so, what are the qualifications for appointment and how exactly does he give his (name removed by moderator)ut? Can a lay person be a DA and, if so, can the DA be a woman, perhaps a nun?
2. Is the proclamation of sainthood an exercise of papal infallibility?

Thanks for your thoughtful responses.

1. No. However, advocates are appointed, and they can be lay, and a woman yes, and a sister, why not?
2. Yes.

 

[JReducation]

Two quick questions for CAF members:

1. Is a Devil’s Advocate still appointed when the Church investigates a candidate for sainthood? If so, what are the qualifications for appointment and how exactly does he give his (name removed by moderator)ut? Can a lay person be a DA and, if so, can the DA be a woman, perhaps a nun?
2. Is the proclamation of sainthood an exercise of papal infallibility?

Thanks for your thoughtful responses.

The Devil’s Advocate was replaced by the Defender of the Faith. He or she and the team serve the same function, but the term is more appropriate. The role of the team is not to advocate for the devil, but to protect the faith from false claims to sanctity.

The Defender of the Faith and his team can be made up of lay men, women, religious brothers, secular priests, regular priests or bishops. The requirement is that the person be a theologian. Other experts are called in as needed. This part of the process is similar to a trial in which the person’s virtues are scrutinized and challenged.

A decree of canonization is an infallible statement made Ex Cathedra. The Pontiff is commanding the the Church to venerate the person as a saint. He is also commanding the faithful to believe, without a doubt, that this person is in heaven. In simple language, he is issuing a command that influences the faith of the Church. Popes cannot teach error in matters of faith.