Catholics/Devil's Advocate

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/21/2009


Question
What is The Devil's Advocate responsible for at the Vatican?

Answer
The advocatus diaboli, or so-called devil's advocate, is an official who participates in the examination of candidates for beatification and canonization.  This official argues the case against the candidate, to ensure that no unworthy individuals are considered.  To the great scandal of the Church, the official, whose role goes back centuries, was eliminated from the process in 1984.  Nowadays any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be proclaimed a "saint" in the New Order sect without a thorough review, as in the past.  Traditional Catholics do not accept these "saints," who were not thoroughly reviewed.

Catholics

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Fr. Michael

Expertise

A traditional Catholic priest, who provides forthright answers to questions FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF TRADITIONAL CATHOLICISM (not the New Order) on topics pertaining to TRADITIONAL Roman Catholicism, including theology, the Bible, Church history, the Latin language, liturgy (especially the Traditional Latin Mass), and music (especially Gregorian chant), and current events in the Catholic Church.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.