Well, we liberal Catholics tend to be embarrassed by some of the people John Paul names as saints. For a person to be named a saint, some miracle has to take place through their intercession. Since Catholic liberals are uneasy about the idea of miracles, this also puts us at a disadvantage. I think of sunsets and waterfalls as miracles, but the Pope won't let them serve to qualify my candidates for sainthood.

Saints are supposed to be people who have led an exemplary life, people who can serve as an inspiration to others. Some saints seem to gather almost a cult following, and that makes us liberals really nervous.

My three candidates for sainthood are Pope John XXIII, Cardinal Joe Bernadin of Chicago, and my grandma.

-Joe Offer-