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Catholic World News

Australian writer sees canonization as an insult to Bl. Mary MacKillop

September 03, 2010

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Opening a new frontier in anti-Catholic journalism, an Australian makes the remarkable charge that the Church will be insulting Mary MacKillop by canonizing her.

The argument is based on inaccurate information as well as highly questionable logic. The author states that no “unbiased members of the medical and scientific professions” were brought in to certify the authenticity of a miracle attributed to Blessed Mary MacKillop’s intercession. That is incorrect; the Vatican always consults with secular experts before declaring a miracle.

Writer Robert Irwin praises the woman who will soon be Australia’s first canonized saint for her commitment to education and to the nation’s indigenous peoples. He pays no attention, however, to her religious faith. So he presumes that she would share his conventional opinions:

I dare say Mary MacKillop would be horrified at the immense expenditure and massive carbon footprint associated with trying to attribute miracles to her so she qualifies for sainthood.

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• Posted by: extremeCatholic - Sep. 05, 2010 3:50 PM ET USA

  I think citing "carbon footprint" is an updated version of Godwin's law.

• Posted by: sfmccoll4301 - Sep. 03, 2010 7:14 PM ET USA

  Carbon footprint? Oh, puhleeeeze!

• Posted by: normnuke - Sep. 03, 2010 5:05 PM ET USA

  Irwin leaves his carbon footprint in his mouth