When souls become saints

ityrAY I call attention to the fact that "Popular Catholicism" still seems to suppose that the Pope makes Saints. Notice, among other references, your headline (Oct. 3) in the matter of the canonisation of the Forty Martyrs: "The Martyrs are now the Saints."
No-one can know when. in His providence, Almighty God calls a soul into complete union with Himself; there is no reason to suppose this happens at the time of Canonisation. No doubt some of these great persons received this glory from the moment of their Martyrdom.
Fully instructed Christians will know what you mean to convey: that the Church has given official sanction to the fact that the status of sanctity has clearly been attained by them but without stating when this happened.
Unfortunately a lot of Chris tians, even Catholic Christians, are not fully instructed, so that great accuracy is demanded of those, who sway popular opinion.
(Fr.) John II. Brewer Isleworth, Middx.
Real dilemma
IREAD in last week's Cantoi lc Ili:Rein of the setting up of a lay organisation, Pro Fide, one of whose aims is to defend the magisterium of the Church. Certainly, it has been in danger recently both from the Left and the Right.
As one interested in the field of Ecumenism, I trust they will do all in their power to defend the magisterium, as enshrined in the encyclical "Mystici Corporis." issued by authority of Pope Pius XII, which states that churches separated from the Catholic Church do nut share its Divine spirit.
Equally, I trust that they will spare no effort to defend the magisterium. as enshrined in the Decree on Ecumenism of Vatican II, issued by authority of Pope Paul VI, which states that churches separated from the Catholic Church do share its Divine spirit.
According to a school of thought which has publicly welcomed the founding of the organisation, unless one gives total adherence to both statements, as teachings of the magisterium, one may not presume to call oneself a Catholic.
The dilemma seems to me a very real one.
A. W. Beer University of Sussex.