JPII Beatification Process Hits Obstacles

A meeting of theological consulters was held at the Vatican was held May 13th to decide on the process of the beatification of John Paul II.

According to my fellow Vatican journalist, the reliable Andrea Tornielli, the theologians have given a positive opinion on the process but they were not unanimous as some abstained from giving their opinion, and so the meeting was postponed to a later date. However, he reports that “none of the consulters doubts the personal sanctity of the great Pontiff”.

What is at issue are “other aspects of the long Wojtyla papacy”, says Tornielli, where there is insufficient documentation in the ‘positio’, as well as contradictions that emerged from some of the testimonies.

Tornielli adds it’s not clear if these obstacles will put a brake on the beatification process, which is expected to be concluded in 2010. What is certain is that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints is not rushing matters, despite the wave of requests and invitations from Poland for an early beatification.

Tornielli says the Congregation “intends to carry out its work with due care and depth.”