2023-06-06 17:02:00
June 6, 2023 / 10:02 a.m.
In a recent interview, Pope Francis stated that Marian apparitions “are not always true” and warned that when a Marian devotion is “too self-centered, it is not authentic.”
“Marian apparitions are a very sensitive issue these days,” said presenter Lorena Bianchetti, who then asked Pope Francis: “How should a Christian position himself when faced with apparitions, regarding which the Church is particularly cautious and careful?”
“There is no need to look there, because… it is an instrument of Marian devotion that is not always true. Sometimes they are images (created by the own) person. There have been true apparitions of the Virgin, but always with her finger like this, pointing to Jesus,” the Pope told the program “In your image“, broadcast on Sunday June 4 on the Italian public television.
The Holy Father also explained: “When (the apparition) is true, the Virgin has never attracted to herself, never! She has always pointed to Jesus, as she said at the Wedding in Cana: ‘Do whatever He tells you’ (Jn 2,1-12). That is the Virgin. I like to see her like this, pointing to Jesus. This is the true attitude of Mary.
“When a Marian devotion is too centered on itself… it is not good, it is not good; neither for those who practice devotion nor for those who promote it”, added the Pontiff.
In this sense, the case of Trevignano Romano has captured the attention of the media in Italy and therefore the interest in asking Pope Francis about the veracity of the Marian apparitions.
The case of Trevignano Romano
The Church in Italy issued the April 14th an official statement on the alleged mystical phenomena that occur in the Trevignano Romano commune, in the Rome area.
The Bishop of Civita Castellana, Msgr. Marco Salvi, advised the faithful not to attend the prayer meetings called by the alleged Italian seer Gisella Cardia until the investigation by the diocesan commission is completed.
On the other hand, the Civitavecchia prosecutor’s office, a city located in the Lazio region, has opened an investigation for fraud against Cardia and her husband, and the mayor of the town has ordered the demolition of the chapel where the followers of the alleged seer.
Gisella Cardia has been invited to talk shows to give her testimony, which includes alleged apparitions and messages from the Virgin, tears of blood and oil on a statue purchased in Medjugorje, and stigmata on her body.
Observatory of Marian apparitions
This and other cases have led the Vatican to create an Observatory of apparitions and mystical phenomena linked to the Virgin Mary to study the various cases whose authenticity has not yet been approved by the Church, as announced on April 18.
The Pontifical Marian Academy International (PAMI) has established the observatory to interpret and study mystical phenomena such as Marian apparitions, lachrymations and stigmata.
The purpose of the observatory is to evaluate and study these phenomena at an international level. The results of the investigations will be published and high-level advice will be offered to local Churches and bishops. The observatory will act systematically and collaborate with scientific experts.
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