# XIX: The Process of Canonization explained — The Absolute at Large

> Chapter companion for The Absolute at Large by Karel Čapek.

## What happens

The chapter details the rapid canonization of the Absolute by the Catholic Church, including theological disputes with other Christian denominations and non-Christian religions, the formal deification ceremony in Rome, and the collection of scientific and medical testimonies to support the miracles attributed to the Absolute.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religious Conflict and War

The chapter describes theological disputes between the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Old Catholics, various Protestant sects, Jews, Muslims, and freethinkers, leading to violence and uprisings.

### Technology and Religion

The Karburator is installed in St. Peter's as a central object of worship, and atomic motors are implicated in religious phenomena in Africa and Arabia.

### Skepticism and Faith

Scientific experts provide testimonies for miracles, blending empirical analysis with acceptance of supernatural intervention, while freethinkers and monists claim the Absolute for their own secular movements.

## Character check-ins

### G. H. Bondy

Given a lengthy audience by the Pope three days before the Papal Brief, and later in conference with the Papal Secretary for twenty-four hours.

## Key lines

> The process of canonization went forward in quick time.

The canonization procedure was expedited.

_Highlights the rapid, almost bureaucratic, pace of the church's acceptance of the Absolute._

> The deification of the Absolute was at length accomplished in Rome on the twelfth of December.

The Absolute was officially declared a god in Rome on December 12th.

_Marks the climax of the chapter's central event._

> The negroes quite unexpectedly slaughtered and ate the missionaries and bowed down to a new idol which they called Ato or Alolto.

In the Belgian Congo and French Senegambia, local people killed and ate missionaries, then worshiped a new idol named Ato or Alolto.

_Illustrates the chaotic and violent spread of the Absolute's influence in colonial contexts._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xix-the-process-of-canonization
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters