Five related questions regarding the relics which consecrate Roman Catholic altars?
- Are altars with major relics more consecrated than others? If not, why use a whole leg?
The size of a martyr’s relics are irrelevant as lobo get as they can be distinguished as humaman bone. This is why documents of authenticity are so important.
- Does the relic play a role in transubstantiation?
No, Such Massses are considered valid yet illicit. In times of persecution priests have said the words of consecration without any table or altar available whatsoever. Nature always finds a way!
- Is there a stockpile or inventory of body parts kept somewhere awaiting the consecration of new altar?
No, there is no stockpile of relics. However, a priest while in Rome may ask ask about certain relics and be directed to where on May obtain relics for legitimat reasons.
- In the event that a Roman Catholic Church closes, is the relic recovered? Is it "retired" or returned to "inventory"?
There is no Roman database for such information. If an altar is deconsecrated the relics in the burial chamber are in the possession of the local bishop for future consecration of churches.
- Is there a searchable database listing which relics are associated with each Church? Can we know how large a piece of saint is used or merely the saint's name?
No! There is no known database for such information. In fact Rome is highly doubious of anything electronic! As said, priests may obtain relics free of charge from a particular Congregession of the Vatican a relics of a saint for any valid saint, even if for personal usage.
- Is there a searchable database listing which relics are associated with each Church? Can we know how large a piece of saint is used or merely the saint's name?
No! Such information is held at the local level of each diocese and is considered of minor importance as regards to the Local Church.