Rome Never Changes…· December 29, 2009

        Benedict XVI continued the tradition of making saints or progressing dead people on the track to Roman Catholic sainthood. On December 19, the Pope signed a decree recognizing the late Pope John Paul II’s life of ‘heroic virtue,’” wrote Catholic News Agency. “With his signature, Benedict XVI throws the door wide open to the beatification of the much-loved Polish Pontiff and gives him the title “Venerable.”

        “The next step towards canonization of John Paul II is a second decree to be signed by the Pope that attributes a miracle to him. It is thought that this miracle will be one that has already taken place but has not yet been officially recognized… Following the approval of his first miracle, Venerable Karol Woytilya would be eligible for beatification, and pending a second miracle, he could be declared a saint.”

        “The Vatican has processed his case in record time. Since the Pontiff´s death, less than five years have passed. Five years is the normal amount of time that must go by before the Holy See can begin the investigation process. In this case, Pope Benedict made an exception just a little over a month after John Paul II’s death in March of 2005.”

        Also, Benedict XVI signed another decree “authenticating the heroic virtue of Pope Pius XII, Pontiff during World War II” and seven others. Pope Pius XII’s support for Jews during the holocaust has been questioned, but the papal decree “rebuffs” these claims, said Catholic News Agency.

        “The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today. The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity. She possesses the same pride and arrogant assumption that lorded it over kings and princes, and claimed the prerogatives of God.

        Declaring saints is something that only God can do. Yet Rome assumes the authority to do so, making fallen man into someone to be venerated and worshipped. This is blasphemy and is a characteristic of Rome’s distance from heaven’s principles. We are to worship none but God. Jesus quoted scripture when He told Satan to get behind him. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matt 4:10. If Jesus said this to the enemy, how can Rome urge her members to worship dead people? This is in defiance of the Ten Commandments which says “Thou shalt have no other God’s before me.” Exodus 20:3.

        To pray to so-called “saints” and asking for their intervention is nothing short of asking them to do what God is perfectly capable of doing Himself. To suggest that Mary or the saints must intervene with God is also an arrogant assumption that defies what Jesus Himself said. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

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