Santo Subito?

Shahbaz Bhatti with two of Asia Bibi's daughters

Remember the chants of "Santo Subito" at the Ven. Pope John Paul II's funeral?  Well, it seems it is happening again as spotaneous devotion to the murdered Pakistani Catholic Shahbaz Bhatti, whom I mentioned in my last post, is growing, not just in Pakistan, but throughout the world.  In an most unusual development even the bishops of his country are taking up the chant and are expected to petition Rome for a declaration of martyrdom which would, if given, clear the way for his beatification.   It is one thing to have the ordinary faithful calling for the glorification of a holy person, but when bishops, who are by nature cautious (and they need to be), are taken up with the spirit of devotion then something remarkable is happening.

First of all, we need to see the "Santo Subito" phenomenon in context.  There are those who dismiss it and prefer to trust a long, painstaking process examining the life, virtues and death of a candidate for sainthood.  I agree with that - the process is there and must be followed.  Even when the Holy Father grants a  dispensation from the "waiting period", the process must still be followed and carried out with the rigour. 

However, "Santo Subito" must not be dismissed either, and indeed the Church must listen most carefully to it.  This expression of the faithful's heartfelt devotion is in fact very ancient and in the early Church was seen by the Church as the movement of the Holy Spirit.  In reality it is the ancient acclamation which saw all our early martyrs and saints raised to the altars.   What happened at Pope John Paul's funeral was astonishing because for the first time in centuries the ancient acclamation made its appearance, as I heard it I realised the reform of the Church is actually happening: we are reclaiming our ancient heritage.

Of course as my former, beloved teacher of moral theology always insisted: prudence is importance, and it is necessary here also.  As the Church listens to the acclamation and opens her heart to it, she must discern if this is indeed the movement of the Holy Spirit, and I believe the process of discernment is the official process for beatification and canonisation.   So we should not fear the reappearance of the acclamation, but rather rejoice in it, it does not threaten the prudence of the process, but rather brings another dimension.  It also may reveal that the person acclaimed may have a very important message for our times, and building on the acclamation, the pastors of the Church should use it as a means of teaching the faithful through the life and example of the one who has touched their hearts.

In the meantime, we should watch what is happening with regard to Shahbaz Bhatti.   He seems to have been a remarkable man, one who knew what price he may have had to pay for his devotion to Christ and his work for religious freedom.  Some things he said:

“I want to share that I believe in Jesus Christ, who has given his own life for us. I know what is the meaning of ‘cross,’ and I follow Him to the cross.”

“Pray for me and for my life. I am a man who has burnt his bridges. I cannot and will not go back on this commitment. I will fight fanaticism and fight in defense of Christians to the death.”

And as a politician, speaking about politics (please note Catholic politicians):

“Even service in politics, without reference to the faith, remains empty and exposed to the Evil One.”

Here is a video of him: a wonderful testimony.  Note he was willing to give up his life for his faith and his people.  This is remarkable.

Think of it!  In an age when we Catholics are struggling for religious freedom in so many countries, in particular in the radically secularised West, we may now have a martyr and intercessor for religious freedom - has God given us a patron for these times?  If he has, no wonder the ancient acclamation has arisen once again in the Church.