Page:The religious life of King Henry VI.djvu/106

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THE CANONIZATION OF

canonization continues to be urged, and if the fame of sanctity and the miracles still persist, then the Roman Pontiff issues a commission to certain bishops or other responsible people in the country to hold a full enquiry into the reputed sanctity and the devotion of the people, and into the miracles, etc. The prelates so commissioned have to report as to the general evidence, and not as to specific cases, as to the general and common reputation, and not as to the truth or ground of the belief. The particulars were to be left for another enquiry into the truth of the alleged facts. After the report of the first commission had been made to Rome, the Pontiff would determine by the advice of his officials whether the second enquiry was to be ordered or not. If it was ordered to be undertaken, the same bishops or others were to be directed to take evidence in regard to the truth of the reputation of the sanctity of life of the servant of God, and as to the evidence for the miracles alleged to have been worked. When this had been done the commissioners were to send to the Pope the result of their enquiry, with all the evidence collected.

In the same year (1494) that Pope Alex-