What is beatification and canonization and are they biblical?

Answer

Beatification and canonization are actions of the Roman Catholic Church declaring that a deceased individual lived a holy life. Individuals who are still alive can then ask the blessed (if beatified) or saint (if canonized) to intercede with God on their behalf. The blessed or saint is respected and admired for their deeds while alive, but they are not worshipped as God is. Honors may involve celebrations and masses conducted in their honor, as well as images and relics exhibited to motivate the faithful.

Beatification is an official action in which a candidate is granted a “cultus” or a specific group of people who identify with, and seek favors from, the beatified individual. The candidate can be a martyr who died in the service of Christ or a confessor. The life and writings of a confessor must be examined for heroic virtue (courage and distinction driven by godly motives rather than human desires), sanctity, and adherence to Roman Catholic teachings. The deceased confessor must also be associated with a verified miracle. The presence of an unauthorized cultus disqualifies both the martyr and confessor from consideration.

The formal process for confirmation has evolved significantly over the past few centuries. Initially, the church mandated a fifty-year gap between the individual’s death and the commencement of the investigation. This period has been reduced to five years. Following a thorough inquiry, the pope approves the beatification, the newly beatified individual is designated as “blessed,” and the local community linked to the blessed person is permitted to undertake limited actions in their name.

Canonization is a proclamation affirming that an individual has met the requirements for sainthood. The proclamation publicly asserts that the candidate is holy and in heaven with God. While the reverence for the beatified is restricted in nature, canonization obliges the entire church to honor the saint. The criteria encompass all those considered during beatification.In addition to another miracle occurring due to the intercession of the individual, which is viewed as God’s confirmation of the nominee’s sanctity, there are further honors such as specific liturgies performed and churches dedicated in the saint’s name.

The essence of beatification and canonization lies in the belief that exceptionally virtuous individuals of the church ascend directly to heaven, reign with Jesus, and intercede with God on behalf of the people on earth and in purgatory. James 5:16 is cited to support the practice: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” However, the Bible does not endorse seeking the attention or favor of the deceased, and praying to the departed is explicitly prohibited.

Beatification, singling out someone for special recognition among deceased believers, is not supported by the Bible. All believers, whether living or deceased, are referred to as “saints” in Scripture (1 Corinthians 1:2;Acts 9:13,32;Ephesians 4:12). All believers are equally holy and righteous, not by their own deeds, but by the righteousness of Christ credited to them at the cross «For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.», (2 Corinthians 5:21). All believers are equally precious in God’s eyes, and no one can boast of any special standing before Him. Lastly, establishing a “cultus” (from which the term “cult” is derived) around a deceased individual to whom prayers and petitions are offered borders on necromancy (consulting the dead), which is also explicitly forbidden in Scripture «or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. », (Deuteronomy 18:11).

Beatification and canonization are ceremonies and customs of the Roman Catholic Church that stem from a misunderstanding and/or misinterpretation of Scripture. Saints constitute the body of Christ, Christians, the church. All Christians are regarded as saints. All Christians are saints—and simultaneously are urged to be saints. In Roman Catholic tradition, the saints are venerated, prayed to, and occasionally worshipped (despite Catholics vehemently refuting this). In the Bible, saints are instructed to venerate, worship, and pray to God exclusively.