Canonising Catholics

by Michael Shackleton · March 4, 2014

When Nelson Mandela died, the media proclaimed the diplomatic skills and heart of this great man. The impression given to me and to all the world is that he is a saint. This may well be, and his legacy will be embraced by his party, the ANC. Knowing that Mandela was a Protestant, is it still possible that he will be raised to sainthood by the Catholic Church? TM Mcinzibe
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Statues of saints are pictured on the colonnade in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Historically, the Church has formally canonised only Christians who are members of the Catholic Church.

This practice was reaffirmed in the document Sanctorum Mater (Mother of the Saints) issued by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in 2007. In Article 4.1 it states: The cause of beatification and canonisation regards a Catholic who in life, in death and after death has enjoyed a reputation of holiness by living all the Christian virtues in a heroic manner; or enjoys a reputation of martyrdom because, having followed Christ more closely, he has sacrificed his life in the act of martyrdom.

This indicates that Nelson Mandela, despite his virtues, would not be eligible as a candidate for Catholic sainthood because he did not profess the Catholic faith.

He was undoubtedly a man of immense stature, displaying many of the Christian virtues in his patience, commitment to justice, forgiveness and reconciliation. He will always be esteemed as a good and just man, probably even more so than many well-known saints.

But saints are not made because of their respectability. All that is required is their patent and admirable holiness of life for the sake of Jesus Christ. Political and moral integrity on its own would not qualify anyone for sainthood in the Church.

Normally, an investigation into someones potential for being canonised may begin only five years after their death. This is to allow for an exacting and thorough investigation into the persons commitment to Christ and the Church as manifested in their speech, writings, prayer life and their acknowledged virtues.

At length, as the process towards canonisation moves on, a miracle, effected through the intercession of the candidate, has to be established without doubt, and a second such miracle is necessary for canonisation, which means that the Church accepts that the person is now with Christ, may be venerated by the faithful, and is given to us as a model of heroic virtues.

As you say, all the world recognises Mr Mandela as a truly great man, including the Church and its members. Much as she may honour and admire him, the Church has no way of counting him among her saints.