Postulator
A postulator is the person who guides a cause for
Congregation for the Causes of Saints, subject to the approval of the bishop.[2] The major religious orders, such as the Franciscans, Dominicans and Jesuits, appoint members of their orders as postulators-general who are available to act for petitioners in causes and who develop reputations as experts in their field.[3]
The later stage of a cause requires the postulator to reside in Rome, which also favors the assignment of the postulator's role to such a postulator-general, since most religious orders maintain their headquarters in Rome.
Duties of the postulator
The first duty of the postulator is to conduct thorough investigations into the life of the candidate for beatification.[4] The postulator also has responsibility for administering funds collected for the cause.[5] Like all officials who take part in a cause, the postulator is obliged to take an oath to fulfil his duty and to observe the strictest confidentiality.[6]
Role of the postulator
A postulator, instructed by the petitioner, initiates a cause by presenting to the bishop of the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The postulator must reside in Rome for the further consideration of the cause.[16]
See also
Notes
- ^ "New Laws for the Causes of Saints"
- ^ Norm 3a.
- ^ For example, Fr. Paolo Molinari SJ was the Jesuit postulator-general for over 50 years until his retirement in 2008 "New Postulator General Archived 2010-09-26 at the Wayback Machine", Jesuit USA News, January 23, 2009. His primary focus was on Jesuit candidates for sainthood, his work was not limited to them. He acted as postulator in the cause for the canonization of Juan Diego "A Beautiful Mission", by George Kearney, Company Magazine, January 29, 2005
- ^ Norm 3b.
- ^ Norm 3c.
- ^ Norm 6c.
- ^ Norm 10 §3.
- ^ Norm 11.
- ^ Norm 13.
- ^ Norm 12a.
- ^ Norm 32.
- ^ Norms 14-21, 23-27
- ^ Norms 16-27, 33-34
- ^ Norms 16a., 20 §3
- ^ Norm 27c.
- ^ Norm 2b.