en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Becket
1 correction found
Beatified by Pope Alexander III
Thomas Becket was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1173; describing him as separately "beatified" by Alexander III is anachronistic and misleading.
Full reasoning
Authoritative Catholic sources describe Thomas Becket as canonized by Pope Alexander III on 21 February 1173. The Catholic Encyclopedia states: "The pope promulgated the bull of canonization ... 21 February, 1173." It does not list a separate beatification for Becket.
The Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints explains that beatification as a distinct institution originated later: "In the 14th century ... [this] is at the origin of Beatification," and "After Sixtus IV (1483) ... a definitive juridical distinction was thereby made between the titles of Saint and Blessed." Since Becket died in 1170 and was raised to sainthood in 1173, labeling him as having been separately "beatified by Pope Alexander III" applies a later category retroactively and inaccurately.
So the reliable formulation is that Pope Alexander III canonized Thomas Becket in 1173.
2 sources
- Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Thomas Becket
The pope promulgated the bull of canonization, little more than two years after the martyrdom, 21 February, 1173.
- Vatican: New procedures in the Rite of Beatification
In the 14th century ... this concession, with a view to future Canonization, is at the origin of Beatification. After Sixtus IV (1483) ... a definitive juridical distinction was thereby made between the titles of Saint and Blessed.