教宗的兩個奇蹟

陳真 2005. 5. 31.

梵諦岡準備給已故教宗封聖，但成為聖徒就跟拿榮譽博士一樣，需要一些「證據」。所需證據就是：他死後這段日子，至少要造成「兩個奇蹟」；一個還不夠喔，要兩個。

教廷上周六對外公開徵求大眾提供證據，證明教宗死後有過這樣兩個由他造成的奇蹟，以便策封他為聖徒。通常所謂「奇蹟」，指的正是一些無法解釋的超自然現象，比方說絕症不藥而癒。

這挺有趣，不愚昧。那些找宋七力麻煩的人也許該想想：宗教是一種什麼樣的「語言」？它不是歷史（所以請別考據），也不是小說（所以也非純屬虛構），更不是科學。它倒有點像藝術、像感情，像風花雪月，像天上繁星；你對它有多少信仰，它就有多少力量。

法庭可以管人間是非，但無法裁決宗教真理；除非法官以為自己就是上帝。

（奇蹟一：樹幹居然長葉子！2005. 5. 25. 攝於董事長家門口。）

（奇蹟二：母天鵝居然生了八隻小天鵝！2005. 5. 28. .攝於康河。）

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Vatican seeks papal miracle proof

BBC 2005. 5. 31.

John Paul II first waived the rules for Mother Teresa

The Catholic Church has invited people to submit evidence “in favour or against” the late Pope John Paul II’s suitability to be a saint.

The Church needs signs of two miracles committed by John Paul II since his death in order to award him sainthood.

An edict inviting testimony was published over the weekend by the vicar for Rome, Cardinal Camillo Ruini.

Pope Benedict XVI has already waived a five-year waiting period before the sainthood process can begin.

Earlier this month, he said he would set the wheels in motion for his predecessor to be beatified with unprecedented speed.

‘Sensational calls’

Cardinal Ruini’s edict referred to the late Pope’s “saintly fame” and “intense life of prayer”.

It will be posted both in Rome and Krakow, in Poland, where Karol Wojtyla worked before he became Pope John Paul II.

Cardinal Ruini said he was responding to “sensational” calls for John Paul’s sainthood.

Funeral mourners demanded John Paul’s sainthood

At his funeral, pilgrims chanted “Santo subito!” or “Make him a saint now!” The edict said people could submit any private writings made by the previous Pope, including diary entries and manuscripts.

It is expected to take some time – possibly years – for the Church to gather all the relevant testimony.

It will also be looking for evidence that John Paul II has committed a miracle since his death, by interceding in response to a prayer.

Miracles attributed to saints often involve the unexplained healing of a medical condition.

If the miracle is verified by the Church, the candidate can be beatified. A second miracle is required after beatification for him or her to reach full sainthood.