John Paul II declared Venerable, moves one step closer to sainthood
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Venerable John Paul II

Vatican City, Dec 19, 2009 / 11:28 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI has signed a decree recognizing the late Pope John Paul II's life of “heroic virtue.” With his signature, Benedict XVI throws the door wide open to the beatification of the much-loved Polish Pontiff and gives him the title "Venerable."

On Saturday morning, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints led by Archbishop Angelo Amato met with Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate their 40th anniversary as a dicastery of the Holy See and to present decrees for papal approval.  Pope John Paul II's name was among the Congregation's nominations for those possessing “heroic virtue.”

The next step towards canonization of John Paul II is a second decree to be signed by the Pope that attributes a miracle to him.  It is thought that this miracle will be one that has already taken place but has not yet been officially recognized. The miracle involves a French nun who was cured of Parkinson´s disease through John Paul II's intercession.

Following the approval of his first miracle, Venerable Karol Woytilya would be eligible for beatification, and pending a second miracle, he could be declared a saint.

The Vatican has processed his case in record time.  Since the Pontiff´s death, less than five years have passed.  Five years is the normal amount of time that must go by before the Holy See can begin the investigation process. In this case, Pope Benedict made an exception just a little over a month after John Paul II's death in March of 2005.

Among other documents signed by Benedict XVI on Saturday morning were decrees authenticating the heroic virtue of Pope Pius XII, Pontiff during World War II; the martyrdom of Jerzy Popiełuszko, a Polish priest killed in 1984, and a second miracle attributed to Bless Mary McKillop, who will now become Australia's first saint.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Ernesto
Philippines 07/18/2010 07:30 AM EST
Even during his funeral and Papal elections, Venerable John Paul II did a miracle to me when I was in Saudi Arabia. I know for sure, he's worthy of our intercession. John Paul II, pray for us.
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Published by: R. Michael Gard
Olympia WA, United States 03/04/2010 06:25 PM EST
I am curious, as an Adult Convert, I was not educated in Catholic Schools, so I probably would know this if I had been. Does the process of Official Sainthood always take a long time to research ?? I'm thinking about 22year old Molly Hightower, who was educated in Western Washington Catholic schools, is from a Catholic family which boasts at least two priests. She died in the Haitian earthquake where she had been working with indigent orphans; she still has an active mission in the PNW to collect shoes for the children of Haiti. Would she be considered a Martyr, even though she was not murdered for her faith ??? Is it appropriate for the faithful to ask for her intercession, assuming her spirit is in the presence of God forever now ??
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Published by: Sam
Detroit,MI USA 02/23/2010 02:34 PM EST
In response to Michael: On the one hand, I agree that the process has been brought forward quickly. On the other hand, however, the official research for the cause of HH JP II's cannonization is very easy and direct because of his openness and media saavy.In my opinion, I think verification of miracles will take extended time to be approved.
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Published by: Michael
Garland, TX/USA 12/30/2009 10:51 PM EST
Why the hurry to get him beatified/canonized? what's the rush? I hasten to say I admire him very much; I appreciate all he did to bring down the Soviet Union & it's occupation of Lithuania; as a Greek Catholic I am grateful for his interventions to preserve our Eastern Catholic Churches from being eclipsed or "swallowed" by the Latin Church. But I still don't see the need to rush this through.
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Published by: Barbara Edsall
Frazier Park, CA, USA 12/21/2009 07:51 PM EST
There are two moments of this great man's life that stand out in my memory. The first is when he was in the States in 1987 and Tony Melendez played guitar for him with his feet. The joy of those two men was something I had never seen. The second was his incredible generosity in not concealing anything about his dying, from the people. What a gift he gave us all!
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Published by: Radomysl Twardowski
Bismarck, ND, USA 12/19/2009 01:07 PM EST
All you holy men and women, pray for us.
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Published by: Titus
USA 12/19/2009 11:41 AM EST
Deo Gratias! Pope Pius XII was a very Holy Man.
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