CANONISATION COSTS TO BE REDUCED

POPE PAUL has approved proposals to make it easier for a Catholic with no rich backers to become a saint, say Vatican sources.
Under the proposals drawn up by a special commission the Pope plans to do away with some expensive frills and increase a fund to help to finance beatification and canonisation causes that are "particularly important for 'the Church's pastoral aims."
Observers said this would go at least some way towards meeting long-standing objections that few ordinary Catholics can achieve
beatification or sainthood. These honours go mostly to members or founders of religious orders, which have the funds to finance the long and expensive processes.
18,000 TO £10,000
The Vatican has never said how much it costs to be proclaimed a Saint. But a Vatican spokesman estimated last year the cost of beatification — the first step towards sainthood— was £8,000 to £10,000.
Vatican sources said the proposals approved 'by the Pope.
but not yet officially announced, would cut beatification costs by nearly £2,000 and canonisation costs by more than £3,000.
The number of copies of biographies of new saints that are printed would be reduced as would the number of large, painted tapestries hung in St. Peter's Basilica during ceremonies, and the number of candles and chandeliers. The system of payments to persons investigating causes would be revised and extra pay for the Sistine Chapel Choir at rites would be eliminated.