Secrecy as process to beatify John Paul II opens

Devil's advocate
Aside from Oder, D’Alonzo has one of the key tasks in the process — a job that used to be known as the “devil’s advocate.”

John Paul dispensed with the title “devil’s advocate” in 1983 reforms to streamline the saint-making process — a move that drew criticism from some that it removed the only checks and balances in the system.

“Put another way, everyone involved in a canonization process now has a stake in its positive outcome,” Kenneth L. Woodward wrote in his 1990 book “Making Saints: How the Catholic Church determines who becomes a saint, who doesn’t and why.”

D’Alonzo insisted the promoter of justice fulfills the same task as the devil’s advocate, which is to raise objections, investigate doubts and seek clarification about a candidate’s virtues.

“I ask questions about weak points that I have to try to clarify for the cause so it can proceed,” he said.

Once the cause officially opens, theological experts will review John Paul’s published works to determine if they are theologically sound, a historical commission will gather information to document his life and D’Alonzo and Bella will start interviewing witnesses.

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.

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