Clerics begin moves to beatify late Pope

The process to beatify Pope John Paul II opens officially today with a solemn ceremony in which all the clerics involved will take an oath of secrecy – and promise not to be corrupted by taking any money or gifts that might sway their decisions.

Yet even before the cause opened, it seemed that virtually everyone involved was in favour – including the official whose job it is to play “devil’s advocate”, or to investigate any doubts about the late Pope’s saintliness.

In an interview yesterday, the Rev Giuseppe D’Alonzo, promoter of justice for the Diocese of Rome, said he was neither for nor against beatification for John Paul, who was viewed as a saint by many even before his death on April 2.

But when asked his personal opinion about John Paul’s merits, he conceded: “It’s the opinion that ordinary people have, simple people who we all saw in St Peter’s Square when there was the funeral Mass.”

D’Alonzo was apparently referring to the chants of “Santo Subito!” or “Sainthood Immediately!” that erupted during John Paul’s April 8 funeral.

The calls prompted the new pope, Benedict XVI, to waive the traditional five-year waiting period and allow John Paul’s saint-making process to begin immediately.

Today, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, a close adviser of the late Pope and his vicar for Rome, will preside over the rite in St John Lateran basilica to open the cause.

D’Alonzo and the other clerics involved will swear to “faithfully and diligently” do their work, keep their proceedings secret and not accept “any type of gift” that might corrupt the process.

The postulator, or main advocate for the cause, Polish Monsignor Slawomir Oder, will hand over the list of witnesses who will testify – a number he said last week was ”more than a few dozen”. D’Alonzo will also present the list of questions to be put to the witnesses.

Also attending the ceremony is an official church delegation from John Paul’s native Poland, including the outgoing Archbishop of Krakow Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, and his replacement, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, the late Pope’s personal secretary.

Once all the material is gathered, the Diocese of Rome turns the case over to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which appoints commissions to review the case and make a final report to the Pope, who must decide if John Paul has lived in a “heroic” way.

If the Vatican then confirms a miracle has occurred after John Paul’s death thanks to his intercession, he can be beatified. A second miracle is needed for him to be made a saint.

Oder said last week he had already received “interesting” reports of a possible miracle that warranted further investigation.