Diocesan Inquiry in a Cause of Saints is the canonical investigation conducted by a competent diocesan bishop or eparch to gather testimony and documents concerning a proposed saint or an alleged miracle.[1]
Opening a cause
A cause normally begins when a qualified petitioner asks the competent bishop through a postulator to investigate a deceased Catholic's heroic virtues, martyrdom, or offering of life. The bishop first examines the genuine and continuing reputation for holiness or martyrdom and intercessory power, the ecclesial significance of the cause, and possible obstacles. The cause may not ordinarily begin until five years after death, though the pope can dispense from that period, and it should not be delayed so long that evidence is needlessly lost.
After accepting the libellus, consulting other bishops as required, publishing notice so that information for or against the cause can be submitted, and obtaining the Holy See's nihil obstat, the bishop constitutes a tribunal or commission for the inquiry. Opening the cause gives the candidate the title Servant of God; it does not predict beatification or authorize public liturgical cult.[2]
Officials and evidence
The inquiry's officials include the episcopal delegate, promoter of justice, and notary; a medical or technical expert participates in an inquiry into an alleged miracle. Theological censors examine published writings, and a historical commission gathers and evaluates documentary evidence, including material unfavorable to the cause. No official may occupy more than one office in the same inquiry, and conflicts with the candidate's institute or association are restricted.
Witnesses testify under oath to facts they know, not to a publicity narrative supplied by promoters. Eyewitnesses, adverse witnesses, experts, archives, private letters, diaries, civil records, and prior biographies can all matter. In an ancient cause, documentary proof carries the principal burden; in a recent cause, living eyewitness testimony can establish virtues, martyrdom, or offering of life.
Separate inquiry into a miracle
An alleged miracle is investigated separately from the inquiry into the candidate's life and virtues, martyrdom, or offering of life. Medical records must be complete and contemporaneous, treating practitioners and experts are examined, and the invocation attributed to the candidate must be documented rather than assumed from a later devotional account.
Absence of unlawful cult
Before closing, the officials inspect the tomb and relevant places and document whether the decrees prohibiting unauthorized public cult have been observed. Private devotion and spontaneous reputation for holiness are not forbidden; actions that present the Church's still-pending judgment as already made are.
Closing and Roman phase
At the final session the inquiry is formally closed, the original acts and authenticated transcript are sealed, and an appointed carrier delivers the material to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Officials swear that they have fulfilled their duties and maintained the required secrecy. The diocese does not itself declare heroic virtue or a miracle by completing the inquiry.
The Dicastery first examines juridical validity and then directs preparation and examination of the cause in Rome. Additional evidence or a supplementary inquiry may be required. The disciplined separation between fact-gathering, historical and scientific judgment, theological judgment, and the pope's decision protects the search for truth.
References
- 1.Sanctorum Mater — Instruction for diocesan and eparchial inquiries in causes of saints
- 2.Divinus perfectionis Magister — Apostolic constitution governing causes of beatification and canonization