The prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints,
Cardinal Angelo Amato, has cautioned against rushing to attribute a
possible second miracle to John Paul II.
The cardinal refused to confirm the accuracy of reports of a second
miracle, but stated, “only at the end, when the investigation is over,
will it be appropriate to speak about it.”
A second miracle would open the door to his canonization.
Cardinal Amato explained in a Jan. 15 interview with L’Osservatore
Romano that the congregation has advised the postulator of the late
Pope’s cause for canonization to “avoid allowing the second miracle to
have the same overexposure in the media as the miracle for his
beatification.”
“Exposing the doctors and experts to any kind of conditioning factor must be avoided,” he said.
Cardinal Amato also referred to the curing of a French religious
sister, Marie Simon-Pierre, which has been validated as a miracle
attributed to John Paul II. The miracle opened the way to his upcoming
beatification on May 1.
Sister Marie was suffering from Parkinson’s, the same disease that
afflicted John Paul II.
“John Paul II’s death had a great impact on
Sister Marie, as he died from the same disease she had. And she thought
perhaps the deceased Pope could help her, since he knew the seriousness
of the illness,” the cardinal explained.
Asked about the canonization of John Paul II, Cardinal Amato said it
will take place only if devotion to the late Pontiff takes root in
Catholics. “In other words, if the people appeal to the Servant of God
to receive graces,” he explained.
Everything involved in the process must be verified, as rushing to judgment “does not bear good fruit,” he added.
Cardinal Amato said that despite the speed with which John Paul II’s
cause has moved forward, it has not occurred “at the expense of
accuracy.”
The recognition of the miracle “took place in a linear
fashion, according to the stages and dynamics of this process, with
guidance from specialists and scientists from the medical team.”
He
noted that the experts worked independently of the Congregation for the
Causes of the Saints.
The cardinal then praised Msgr. Slawomir Oder, the postulator of the
cause, noting that his work “is extremely serious and must be carried
out accurately.”
SIC: CNA/INT'L