The Canonisation of Mother Mary MacKillop

[David Graham]

On the 17th of October this year, the Pope will formerly "canonise" Mother Mary MacKillop, a devout Roman Catholic nun who served the church and community through education and brought about many necessary reforms, some of which were controversial and caused her to fall out of favour with the church authorities. (I think at one time she was either excommunicated or threatened with excommunication)

The questions about this that I am pondering at the moment are as follows:
1. Who is actually "creating" the saint? a) Is the church doing so by way of their decisions and special rituals or b) is the church simply acknowledging what God has already "created" in heaven or formerly on earth while she was alive?

If a) is true than is this sainthood simply a "sanctified" form of knighthood which is already practiced in many countries where a distinguished person of the community is honoured for their work? In such a scenario, the person honoured is no more worthy of veneration than a person in the COTN who is honoured with a Distinguished Service award.

If b) is true, does this open up the possibility of the veneration of this person to such an extent that people can pray to them and ask for special favours from God? In such a scenario, we Protestants surely must be "missing out" on answers to prayer because we do not venerate Godly people who have lived and died among us who have done great things for God and our communities.

2. Are we correct is saying that all christians are "sanctified" (saintified... Latin) by God and therefore no special veneration is due to any of us?

3. As a local Protestant Minister I have been invited to the local Catholic church to share in this special event on that sunday, so if I go to this event, am I sending out a message that I agree with what's being done? Or can I go along and participate in their joy of something that is important to them?

Since she is the first Australian Catholic saint, they're making a rather big deal of it all, and so I have to choose carefully, for I don't want to send a message that Protestants and Catholics are still in conflict when that is clearly not the case.
I look forward to reading your comments on this.

Roland, have you been invited, and if so, what are you planning to do?

Blessings,
Dave

[Greg Farra]

Go check it out, you may find it interesting.

[Ryan Scott]

I think the veneration of the saints, whether they be the formally canonized or not, is a tradition we, as protestants, could do well to learn from. I grew up being told that Catholics prayed to Mary, which was bad. Now I recognize that there's some theology surrounding Mary that's just not good, but the notion of veneration, I think is good.

I had one nun explain it to me, "I'm not praying to Mary, but I believe Mary and all those who've gone before us are still a part of the Church. The body of Christ is composed of all the faithful from all time. Just like I'd ask you or my sisters in the next room to pray for me, I ask Mary or one of the other saints. It helps to keep us all connected."

To me, that's a powerful statement of hope and faith. I'd love to have such an invitation.

[Susan Unger]

On the 17th of October this year, the Pope will formerly "canonise" Mother Mary MacKillop, a devout Roman Catholic nun who served the church and community through education and brought about many necessary reforms, some of which were controversial and caused her to fall out of favour with the church authorities. (I think at one time she was either excommunicated or threatened with excommunication)

The questions about this that I am pondering at the moment are as follows:
1. Who is actually "creating" the saint? a) Is the church doing so by way of their decisions and special rituals or b) is the church simply acknowledging what God has already "created" in heaven or formerly on earth while she was alive?

If a) is true than is this sainthood simply a "sanctified" form of knighthood which is already practiced in many countries where a distinguished person of the community is honoured for their work? In such a scenario, the person honoured is no more worthy of veneration than a person in the COTN who is honoured with a Distinguished Service award.

If b) is true, does this open up the possibility of the veneration of this person to such an extent that people can pray to them and ask for special favours from God? In such a scenario, we Protestants surely must be "missing out" on answers to prayer because we do not venerate Godly people who have lived and died among us who have done great things for God and our communities.

2. Are we correct is saying that all christians are "sanctified" (saintified... Latin) by God and therefore no special veneration is due to any of us?

3. As a local Protestant Minister I have been invited to the local Catholic church to share in this special event on that sunday, so if I go to this event, am I sending out a message that I agree with what's being done? Or can I go along and participate in their joy of something that is important to them?

Since she is the first Australian Catholic saint, they're making a rather big deal of it all, and so I have to choose carefully, for I don't want to send a message that Protestants and Catholics are still in conflict when that is clearly not the case.
I look forward to reading your comments on this.

Roland, have you been invited, and if so, what are you planning to do?

Blessings,
Dave
#1 I believe it is b. Although, I don't see it a reason to pray to them. My beliefs in this area aren't well thought out. While I see it as the RCC genuinely believes there is something special in the person becoming a saint, I believe praying to the Trinity [and not to a saint] is enough.
#2 As a protestant, I believe that all Christians are in the process of being sanctified, thus 'saintified'. I am interested in learning about various Saints [as the RCC would see them] for their testimony and inspiration.
#3 I would go. I enjoy going with my RC hs friend to her various church events. I view it as participating in their joy.

[George Wallace]

Dave,
Personally I would be politely yet Courageously Protestant (http://www.amazon.com/Courage-Protestant-Truth-lovers-Marketers-Postmodern/dp/0802840078)and decline the invitation.

Blessings
George