Vatican moving to cut costs of canonization process

January 16, 2014

The Vatican has taken steps to limit the costs of a cause for canonization, giving bishops a list of the expenses they can expect to incur in promoting a candidate for sainthood.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, said that the Vatican plans to provide more public information on the costs of the process, and will seek to hold down administrative expenses. The Vatican is also hoping to establish a foundation to subsidize the costs of the process for dioceses and religious orders that lack the necessary funds.

A cause for canonization requires exhaustive research into the candidate’s life, and the preparation of an official dossier—known as a position-- involves legal documentation and consultations with theologians and doctors as well as historical research. The overall cost of the process can run from $50,000 to over $200,000.

The costs of the process have frequently been a barrier to the beatification or canonization of lay people, since few families can absorb the expenses of a cause. The costs have also deterred small or impoverished dioceses and religious orders. The Vatican is hoping that standard pricing and cost-cutting measures will allow the consideration of a wider variety of candidates for canonization.

 

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Further information:

• The cost of sainthood: Cardinal announces plan to contain fees (CNS)
• How much is that halo? Vatican regulates costs of making saints (Reuters)