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CNN Sunday Morning

How Does One Become a Saint?

Aired June 16, 2002 - 11:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Pope John Paul II said prayers for the church's newest saint, Padre Pio. The pope has named 462 saints in his career. Hundreds of thousands of people packed into St. Peter's Square today for the ceremony.

Padre Pio's journey on the road to sainthood took several years. For other would-be saints, the journey may be just beginning. CNN's Garrick Utley has a road map.

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GERRICK UTLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): He was Number 001, the first recorded death at the World Trade Center, where he went to administer last rites. He was Father Mychal Judge, the Chaplain of the New York City Fire Department. Some think he is or should be a saint.

His supporters have a Web site for their campaign to have Father Mychal canonized, like the Apostles, like St. Francis of Assisi and the thousands of other saints of the church.

UTLEY (on camera): But what is the path to sainthood? The early saints were proclaimed by the acclamation of communities of Christians. There was no real screening process. Today, there is.

It begins at the local level where church officials conduct an inquiry to see whether the candidate has real merit. If he or she does, the case is sent on to the Vatican.

UTLEY (voice over): Although John Paul has named more saints than any other pope, nearly 300, it's still a long, laborious process that can take decades or centuries. A Vatican committee must first decide whether the candidate is worthy of beatification, which means he or she can be venerated by Catholics. Only then, can the pope decide on canonization. Would Father Judge be a viable candidate?

REVEREND THOMAS REESE, EDITOR, "AMERICA": I think he's the type of person that ought to be considered and if, you know, there is a growing enthusiasm for this man, then you know, the people are speaking and the church should listen.

UTLEY: As it listened to the acclaim for Saint Teresa of Lisieux, the young French nun who gained fame and devotion through her writing about her faith. Hers was the fastest canonization of modern times. It took 28 years.

Mother Teresa may achieve it even faster. In fact, the pope waived the usual five-year waiting period to start the process. The key, though, is that the candidate's popularity endures. Will it for Mychal Judge?

REESE: In five years, will anybody know who Father Judge is? You know, that's the kind of question that the church would have to look at. If, you know, he fades from memory, well then he doesn't become a good candidate for beatification.

UTLEY (on camera): Like all candidates for sainthood, Father Judge's case would face one official at the Vatican whose job is to find reasons why he should not be canonized. That person is known as the devil's advocate. It's the origin of the term, and the devil's advocate would no doubt look closely at the fact that Father Judge was gay.

UTLEY (voice over): Mychal Judge did not hide that, and the New York City Fire Department was not bothered by it. But how will the Catholic Church handle the case of the gay priest who showed such bravery that September morning and was honored by his city as Victim 001.

Garrick Utley, CNN, New York.

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