Canonizing Pope John Paul II is such a wonderful gesture. He was a great religious leader. But if you were ever to pick up the only book in the world that claims to be written or co-written by God, you would not find this postmortem honorary tribute process anywhere. A few men, mortals, made it up centuries ago.
Does that invalidate the honor? Surely not.
Just be advised that being "bestowed" sainthood, as prescribed in the Bible — that is, God's way — has nothing to do with this man-made process.
Stephen Lent
Albany