Vatican to encourage greater caution in opening sainthood causes

Published: 2008-01-08

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican is preparing to issue a set of instructions to promote "greater caution and more accuracy" in the opening of new sainthood causes by local dioceses, a top Vatican official said. Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, head of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, said the instructions were needed to reflect the "new spirit introduced by Pope Benedict XVI in beatification procedures." The cardinal spoke in an interview published Jan. 8 by the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, under the headline: "More precision will be asked in diocesan canonization processes." Cardinal Saraiva Martins said the new document will be addressed to all resident bishops, instructing them on procedures regarding the opening and advancement of sainthood causes. It will underline how the "theology of the local church" is manifested in such causes, he said.

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