Fr. Serge,
If miracles are not required in the case of martyrs, what can be done to speed the process for their canonization?
Dave
Actually, a miracle is required for canonization, but not required for beatification:
http://usccb.org/comm/SaintsFinal.pdfGC:
Stated in another way:
The general rule is: at least one miracle is required for a "Venerable" to be eligible for beatification and, therefore, to be called a "Blessed!" A second miracle is required for canonization and to be declared a "Saint!"
Exception: where the "Venerable" was a martyr, a proven miracle is not required before a cause for beatification is begun.
For instance, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta did not die as a martyr and was beatified only after a miracle was proven attributable to her. Pope John Paul II is undergoing the same process of proving one miracle attributale to him before he can be beatified. (BTW, the causes for canonization for both Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II were started prior to the expiration of the waiting period of at least 5 years after their respective deaths with a dispensatin of this waiting period granted by the reigning Pope.)
Amado
