Indianexpress.com : comments : Pope makes Alphonsa first Indian woman saint, slams anti-Christian violence

Pope makes Alphonsa first Indian woman saint, slams anti-Christian violence

Vatican City, October 12: Pope Benedict XVI created India’s first woman saint Sunday, and denounced anti-Christian violence in that country and in Iraq. The canonization of Sister Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception is seen as a morale boost to minority Christians who have been attacked by Hindu mobs in eastern and so ....Read more

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Own viewsBy: John K | Thursday , 9 Apr '09 13:43:50 PM Reply | Forward Well, I could see that there's a lot of bashing going on here, pointing out one or few cases. I am not telling here that all the Church or the pope does is right. But for every name listed by the person who commented on saints, there are hundreds of saints who lived godly lives and transformed people and society around and converged them to God. Canonization is not an easy process and probably may have been misused in the past (I am not too sure about that). But I can tell you for sure that the canonization (elevation to saintlyhood) is not just like a dictator deciding what to do. As for Saint Alphonsa, there are multiple miraculous healings, one which was certified by a team of 5 doctors, which lead to the ultimate elevation of Blessed Alphonsa to sainthood. I do respect the independent opinions of all the comments pasted here, which may sound true. I would just encourage you to do one thing. Please read the biographies of St. Alphonsa, or St Francis of Assisi and then come to some conclusions instead of picking up some bits and pieces from very specific books or news articles.

Let us have a paradeBy: Indian catholic | Thursday , 16 Oct '08 13:58:21 PM Reply | Forward I am a catholic and I am very proud that Alphonsa is the first Indian saint. She was so good, they even named the mangoes after her.Let's dig her up and parade her around just like that guy Francis in Goa. To see what kind of unsavory politics goes behind the scenes during a canonization, see the italian movie "My mother's smile". Also look up the book "Saints Behaving Badly" by Thomas J. Craughwell, to see the kind of characters who have been sanctified. For example, St. Mary of Egypt, who trolled the streets looking for new carnal conquests; and Thomas Becket, who despite his vast riches refused to give his cloak to a man freezing to death in the street. And there are many more that I cannot write about because of the word-filter ...The popi is a man elected by a bunch of Vatican politicians, and he has the authority to decide who becomes a saint - what a joke! By the way, nice topi, popi!

CannonizationBy: oldindian | Monday , 13 Oct '08 13:07:09 PM Reply | Forward Cannonisation serves multiple purpose besides recognizing, miracle values. For instance, effort to have pope pius cannonized, is to make people forget that vatican was silent spectator of massacre of miilion jews. Teresa has not been cannonized for whatever reason. but her contribution to christianity, where christianity is seen as religion of some substance by many people is no mean achievement. But in our secular environment no one is going to be listening to these facts!

funnyBy: Madhusudhan | Monday , 13 Oct '08 12:45:58 PM Reply | Forward There are MANY Indian woman saints.From times immemorial. Not only saints, in India there are goddesses as well. The Navratris just concluded celebrating and worshipping one of them. The Indian media, including Indian Express, seems to be as excited at a white Europe canonizing an Indian woman as a child is at receiving some imported candy. Calm down, guys. Keep your adrenalin under check.

not funnyBy: pranav | Monday , 13 Oct '08 21:07:52 PM Reply | Forward You are not making any sense. You are talking about mythical godessess who never existed and this is a real flesh and blood woman.

pope slams violence against x'ansBy: an indian | Monday , 13 Oct '08 11:29:52 AM Reply | Forward BJP and other Hindu organizations should not support violence against christins because in most of the christian countries, Hindus are allowed to live in peace and prosper and allowed to propogate their religion. The west has learned tolerance and respect for other cultures from the example of india. Let us not allow a minority of hindus to tarnish this good image of our country. I am an indian christian and proud about our country. I am against conversion of illiterate villages by missionaries, but that does not justify violence against them by hindus. There are other legal means to stop conversion.

Get facts rightBy: Ganesh | Monday , 13 Oct '08 18:57:54 PM Reply | Forward In none of those countries, VHP or any other Hindu organisation brainwash local people to convert to Hinduism, as it is being done by Evangelist in IndiaLooks like Indian Express gives importance to views like yours lots of importance

comments of POPEBy: Jairam.V.Menon | Monday , 13 Oct '08 6:29:45 AM Reply | Forward canonisation must act as a booster for introspection, rather than justifying the insults heeped on another culture/system of life.we need tolerance and understanding from everyone.The Holy See would do better if IT understands the true message.