Q. It is interesting that a lot of Protestant churches are named after our beloved saints. If Protestants don’t believe in saints in the same manner as Catholics, why are their churches named after them? — T.W., Rockford

A. That is a good question because I do not think that even for theologically well-educated Protestants they have the same concept of sainthood as Catholics do.

Since the 17th century, sainthood was conferred by the pope as a result of a canonical process which is quite severe in that it demands minute investigation of miracles proposed as signs of the person’s holiness and worthiness to be designated a saint in addition to the painstaking documentation to the person’s devotion to the church, particular ministry and so on. The process can take many, many years and this is strictly a Catholic process.

However, the saints, their good works and their impact on our history and our world can be recognized and appreciated by all people of the world whether they believe in the making of saints or not. We can certainly see this in the case of Pope St. John XXIII and Pope St. John Paul II.

If you notice most of the saints that are chosen as patrons of non-Catholic churches are the Apostles and the evangelists. Of course, the Apostles and the evangelists and their works are the heritage of all Christians.

For instance, in Rockford there is a Lutheran Church named in honor of St. Mark and in Byron there is All Saints, which of course, includes all.

For non-Catholics, as well as for ourselves as Catholics, the saints can offer good example for us to follow in our living out our Catholic lives. Their words and works make up for Catholics, significant parts of our Catholic background and history. That non-Catholics recognize this, I think, is to their credit.

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