Devil's Advocate

By Crusader1307

An actual, still existing position within The Western Rite Catholic Church, a ‘’Devil’s Advocate’’ dates back to the 15th Century AD. It was created to insure ‘’accuracy and honesty’’ when determination upon Sainthood was proceeded into by The Church for those so selected to Canonization. While determining the causes (miracles, tangible evidence etc.), the need to create a Saint could have been tainted by those who had certain political or career gains. A Cardinal Priest was selected to serve as ‘’Proescutor’’ against any evidence. His position was to create doubt and force a thorough examination (truthfully) into the various evidence entered into consideration for Canonization. Naturally, The ‘’Advocate’’ was a believer no doubt, but had to take His task with great zeal. IF the evidence withstood the scrutiny of a Devil’s Advocate, Sainthood was advanced. In much later Eras, Devil’s Advocates were unofficially found among a populace, such as Writer’s or Historians (most of whom were not particularly religiously motivated or involved), who advanced evidence to the contrary of Sainthood, citing mysticism and superstition as the prime movers of Canonization.