I know, you don't care.

[jackofallgeeks]

Speaking of pedantry, I learned today what the difference is between beatification and canonization in the Catholic Church. Both are claims that the person in question is in fact in Heaven (whereas veneration just says they were a good person, I guess), apparently beatification isn't considered (by theologians who concern themselves with such things) to be infallible, but canonization is considered so.

Comments

canonization/beatification

[xenu.livejournal.com]

So, who is it that would dispute someone's beatification? Is there a process? Is there anyone who can canonize someone besides the pope? Are either of these things a first step toward sainthood?

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

I don't know that anyone would dispute it, but I think it's rather more like saying "this person is most likely in heaven," as opposed to "this person is definitely in heaven."

There's a process involved in getting beatified (and venerated and canonized), and I think it has to do with a "devil's Advocate," but as noted, I don't think it's ever 'really' disputed once it's passed.

As far as I know, only the pope can beatify or canonize anyone. it's notable here that, contrary to what many seem to believe, it's not Catholic doctrine that the pope is always infallible on all things.

Neither of these are the first step, but both of them are sainthood, strictly speaking. A saint in the Catholic church is someone who's in heaven, simply, even if he's never been officially recognized by the Church. we don't know everything, after all. The 'steps' are Venerable, Blessed, and Saint (corresponding to veneration, beatification, and canonization).