Emperor Karl

Emperor Karl beatified

Originally from November 2004

We have all been in thrall to America's presidential election, but let's not forget another recent event worthy of our attention. On Sunday October 3rd, the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, beatified five people. One of them was Emperor Karl of Austria, the last emperor-king of Austria-Hungary, a newer, federal version of the old Austrian empire.

At first sight, his beatification may seem strange, as during Karl's whole reign from 1916 to 1918 his country was involved in the first world war. But in fact he had inherited the war from his predecessor and undertook efforts to restore peace. He also pioneered social policies such as tenant protection and rent control, which he introduced in 1917. In addition, he was very religious. As the Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Dr Christoph Schönborn, has put it in an announcement related to the beatification, he "sought peace, helped the poor, and with determination cultivated a spiritual life."

Although the ceremony was shown live on Austrian state television channel ORF 2, the beatification was not uncontroversial in Austria. Some historians shed doubt on Karl's competence. But his supporters argued that, while it was true that his peace efforts failed, it takes more than one side to make peace. And, again from the Archbishop's announcement, he "never made any important decisions without praying".

Karl was also criticised for having authorised the use of poison gas on the Italian front. (Italy, a nominal ally of Austria-Hungary right up to the war, had stabbed it in the back by attacking it.) What he did, or rather let happen, was less exceptional than it might appear: the Germans, French and British had already introduced gas warfare to the western front, and most sides in the first world war used it at some stage. In any case, the Holy See meticulously examines all the evidence before someone can be beatified — in Karl's case this took about 50 years!

The Vatican body in charge of such examinations is now called, after a name change in 1988, the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Beatification is meant to illustrate the real possibility to live according to the example of Jesus Christ. The starting point of the process is a high regard shown for the candidate by his or her local community of Catholic faithful. Their bishop collects documentary evidence about the candidate's life and submits it to the congregation, which then also gathers further information on its own.

But a virtuous, heroic and exemplary life is not enough: on top of that, beatification requires a miracle. (An exception is made for martyrs, but Karl died in 1922 from pneumonia.) Its verification is one possible source of delay. The congregation must be absolutely sure that it is a genuine miracle, defying the laws of science. Several expert opinions have to be commissioned.

Karl's miracle is the healing of Polish-born Brazilian nun Maria Zita Gradowska. Since her youth, Sister Maria Zita had suffered from various pains in both legs. Eventually, by December 1960, she had been bedridden for months due to a particularly painful swelling on her right leg. But then, having followed advice to pray for Karl's beatification, Sister Maria Zita quickly recovered and regained her ability to walk. Never after did any leg problems return.

Emperor Karl is now blessed. In due time, he may be canonised (ie, declared a saint); beatification is a necessary step on the road to sainthood. Canonisation is infallible, a property denied by many theologians to the act of beatification. And only through canonisation will the formal veneration that comes with your beatification be extended from your home region to the wider Catholic world. To be eligible for sainthood, Karl needs a second miracle, though.