The Beatification Coming Down the Road

The speculation proved true, (watch the video here or read the Catholic Register story here) and the date set.

The Beatification of John Paul II will take place on May 1^st and the celebrations have already begun. It is possible that no one is as overjoyed as Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, the French Nun who was miraculously cleared of Parkinson’s. Within days of Benedict XVI’s announcement, different groups expressed their own excitement and perspectives on the decision; The Pontifical Academy for Life was quick off the mark describing the Pope as “a great lover of life and defender” of the unborn.”, The Pontifical Council for the Laity was as excited and announced that for the up coming World Youth Day in Madrid “the future Blessed Pope John Paul would be one of the official patrons of the gathering.”, which seems particularly apt given that John Paul created World Youth Day, and the John Paul Center announced that a church being built in Krakow will feature “A vial containing blood drawn from Pope John Paul II shortly before he died…installed as a relic in a Polish church soon after his beatification this year.”

Not everyone is pleased with the speed at which the former Pope is being Beatified. Cathy Lynn Grossman in USA Today canvasses verious opinions within the Church objecting to the decision on a variety of grounds, as does John Allen Jr at the National Catholic Register, while Jimmy Akin at the National Catholic Register and his colleague Pat Archbold debate whether the speed of this beatification is perhaps too swift. Phil Lawlor of Catholic Culture is firing back at the critics, Father Raymond J. de Souza of the Catholic Register has a nicely argued take on the question of a rush to judgement that is well worth reading. William Oddie at the Catholic Herald squares the circle so to speak in an essay enitled “The beatification of Pope John Paul has surprised no one: but it is a great day for the Church: By the time of his death, his greatness had become universally perceived”.

It is still early days in the planning process of the ceremony itself but some details are trickling out. This report from EWTN news has the latest details.