Pope tightens up rules around cash and canonisation

The Vatican has announced new rules to manage the £400,000 cost of making saints.

The announcement came shortly before Pope Francis reveals the date for the canonisation of Mother Teresa later this year.

The new norms govern the way funds for the Causes of Saints are established and managed.

They are especially relevant for the "Roman phase" of the process and the preparation of a position paper, often thousands of pages long, about the life of the candidate.

The norms demand regular and detailed accounting and disciplinary procedures in case of misuse, and ensure that spending limits are set.

Three years ago Pope Francis set up an investigation into Catholic Church finances. Among other things, the inquiry disclosed problems in the saint-making process.

Two Italian journalists subsequently published books revealing problems in the auditing process due to  lack of documents. They also disclosed the vast quantities spent by people attempting to expedite a canonisation. The journalists, Emanuele Fittipaldi and Gianluigi Nuzzi, are due to stand trial on Saturday for publishing leaked information.

The canonisation process is long and complex. Witnesses have to attest to the candidate's holiness and venerability and there are several stages, which require at least two miracles. The miracles have to be attested by doctors as genuine, and not assisted by secular medecine.

related articles
Vatican leaks: two arrests, two new books

Vatican leaks: two arrests, two new books

Vatican City 'medieval' law infringes on free speech says Vatileaks journalist

Vatican City 'medieval' law infringes on free speech says Vatileaks journalist

Mother Teresa to be made a saint next year
Mother Teresa to be made a saint next year

Mother Teresa to be made a saint next year

Nun, Nobel Prize Winner and soon-to-be saint: Who was Mother Teresa?

Nun, Nobel Prize Winner and soon-to-be saint: Who was Mother Teresa?

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.