Pedro and Peter, were also devout Catholics that were canonised for their efforts. The difference between them and Mary was that they were leaders of the inquisition responsible for persecuting heretics and especially Jews.

While Mary was a decent person, my cynical side feels that her canonisation was more a political move to cement ties with Australia than any spectacular service or miracles from her side.

The Vatican was well known for its collaboration with the Fascists, and I well suspect that if WWII had a different outcome we might well have had a saint Adolf.

Yes Shadow Minister, I too am cynical about the motives of the Catholic Church finally agreeing to promote Mary to sainthood now.
A hundred years ago they ex-communicated her for reporting a paedophile priest!

Mary MacKillop certainly did some good for the poor people of her day, however I am very skeptical about the so-called miracles that happened in her name.

There are stories about unexplained 'spontaneous cures' happening to people suffering cancer all over the world.
We have Buddists, Muslims, Jews, and every other religion claiming the same thing.
Apparently we have 'miracles' appearing from Gods of all sorts, and happening to atheists as well!

Could it be merely unexplained medical reasons why these people appear to have recovered from life-threatening diseases?

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It's an online opinion forum Rudy.
Just because you don't agree with what we say, doesn't make us bigoted.
Mary MacKillop certainly appeared to be a 'saintly' sort of a person, but me not believing in so-called miracles does not make me a bigot.
At least we commented on the topic.

I'm assuming your suggestion of Saint Adolph is an example of hyperbole, Shadow Minister. But point taken.

There is always room for cynicism and its much healthier cousin, scepticism. I embrace both. I think, however, that in this case it might be nice to see international recognition of an Australian woman who, in the face of considerable adversity, achieved great things. I have enough respect for old JP to believe that his decision to beatify Mary Mac was based on genuine belief rather than political gain. Benny - well, I'm not so certain. But I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Miracle or no miracle, it's nice to see an Australian receiving recognition far and wide for something other than sporting achievement or acting - for simply doing something good for her community.

Suzeonline I don't know how I managed to type that mistake. I meant to type "the first post". My comment was in relation to the first post only.

Rudy,

You start off by name calling. That is truly sad, since you criticise others for doing so.

You accuse me of being a bigot, yet my comments were directed at the church hierarchy, and given your staunch anti choice stance using anti abortion propaganda, I believe that you are a Catholic posing as an atheist to score points in the debate.

Stop being such a hypocrite, as most people can see right through you.

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No Rudy, it is not only name calling, but slander.

As you have fingered as another sock puppet of the vile Jockey, I guess we won't have to put up with you venomous slander here.

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You couldn't possibly be serious shadow minister. You wrote that if the Germans had won WW2 then the Catholic Church would have made Adolf Hitler a Saint. How do you possibly expect to be taken seriously with anything you write on this forum when you write stuff like that? Ok where's the evidence? Post links to the documentation that shows the Catholic Church was preparing to canonise Adolf Hitler should he have won the war.

Now to the next point. You claim the reason why Mary MacKillop (you can't even spell her name correctly) has been made a Saint was for "political" reasons and to "cement ties with Australia". Ok, show us the evidence that this is true, including the documentation, and please post the links so we can all see. And before you start with the personal attacks, no I'm not Catholic or even Christian.