Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, John Paul II’s long-serving private secretary, has denied accusations made by Italian weekly Panorama that he, along with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, is delaying the beatification process of the Polish Pope. 

Yesterday a Vaticanologist, Ignazio Ingrao, wrote that there are “issues that cast a shadow over the beatification process”. He accused Dziwisz of not letting experts from the historical commission read personal notes made by John Paul II.  

Cardinal Dziwisz admits that, against wishes made in the Pope’s Will, he did not burn his personal notes, as was requested. But he denies Ingrao’s allegations, claiming that he has given over all relevant documents to the Congregation for the Causes of Saint.

“Why would I, a person who spent so many years at the Pope’s side, try to halt his beatification? It is a huge misunderstanding. I feel libeled against,” commented Dziwisz.

The Positio - the documents about John Paul II’s deeds, which support evidence of miracles performed by the pontiff and a crucial part of the beatification process -  have already been delivered to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and are currently being reviewed by theologians.

On 13 May they will pass on a verdict to 25 cardinals and bishops who in turn will pass a judgment on to Pope Benedict XVI. He will take the final decision on the beatification of John Paul II, a major stage in the process of becoming a saint. (mg/pg)

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‘Shadow’ cast over JP II beatification?, thenews.pl, May 4