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Why the streamlined process and the rush of new saints?

The pope's aim through all of this has been to shift attention away from Catholic bureaucracy and toward pastoral care, says biographer George Weigel. This is the same motive behind the extensive international traveling that has made John Paul II one of the most recognized personalities worldwide. His huge popularity with Catholics suggest the people approve.

Protestant Saints?
Admittedly, many Protestants don't see the point of saint-making. After all, the Reformation was in part a rejection of the cultic veneration of saints that had grown up in medieval Europe. But if they are honest, Protestants will recognize they have "saints" too.

Take, for example, John Foxe's Book of Martyrs, which details the stories not only of British and French Protestants suffering under Catholic persecution, but also of America's first missionaries. Or think of the modern-day apologists accorded near-legendary status by appreciative Protestants—some students at Wheaton College jokingly refer to C. S. Lewis as the college's patron saint. Biographies abound of Christian leaders revered by Protestants as much as Catholics—indeed, Christian History's mission has always been, in part, to bring these stories before a broader audience.

The best argument for special recognition—if not canonization—of such "heroes of the faith" may come from John Paul II himself. In his speech beatifying Mother Teresa, he entreated his listeners to model their lives on this woman who took seriously Jesus' command to store up treasures not on earth but in heaven:

"In her, we perceive the urgency to put oneself in a state of service, especially for the poorest and most forgotten, the last of the last."

A chief reason the church makes saints, in other words, is to inspire everyone else to live like them.

Steven Gertz is editorial coordinator of Christian History. More Christian History, including a list of events that occurred this week in the church's past, is available at ChristianHistory.net. Subscriptions to the quarterly print magazine are also available.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Other Christian History articles on the Pope John Paul II include:

John Paul II | In issuing more significant encyclicals and visiting more nations than any other pope, he's shown that Christianity remains a world force.

Forgive and Remember

The Politicians' Patron | Just in time for the election, Pope John Paul II prepares to declare Thomas More the patron saint of politicians—though More was not quite a model for all seasons.

Christian History Corner appears every Friday on Christianity Today's website. Previous editions include:

Will the Next Pope Be an African? | Sixty-four years ago, the Roman Catholic Church consecrated its first black African bishop. Is it time now for the next step? (Oct. 17, 2003)

When Denominations Divide | The two-century-old "Unitarian controversy" suggests a grim prognosis for the current crisis in the Episcopal Church (Oct. 10, 2003)

Our Brothers and Sisters, the Episcopalians | The Episcopal Church needs our help. Here's why we should give it (Oct. 3, 2003)

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October (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47