{"id":240,"date":"2011-07-26T00:07:17","date_gmt":"2011-07-26T00:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/?page_id=240"},"modified":"2013-04-11T19:16:27","modified_gmt":"2013-04-12T00:16:27","slug":"what-the-catholic-church-says-about-luisa-piccarreta","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/?page_id=240","title":{"rendered":"What the Catholic Church says about Luisa Piccarreta"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does the Catholic Church Condemn Luisa
\nPiccarreta\u2019s Writings?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stephen Patton, M.A., J.D.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

July 10, 2000<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you remember the old saying we all learned in grade school, \u201cDon\u2019t believe
\neverything you read\u201d?\u00a0 It stands as true today as ever.\u00a0 Beginning in the fall of
\n1997 many people read a few articles in the American Catholic press that misled
\nthem to believe that the Catholic Church condemns the writings of the Servant
\nof God Luisa Piccarreta.\u00a0 As a result, many who had found great treasures in her spiritual writings stopped reading them.\u00a0 Others unleashed a firestorm of abuse toward those who continued to read them.\u00a0 All of this has been quite unjust, because it simply is not true that the Catholic Church condemns Luisa\u2019s writings. Catholics are free to read them.\u00a0 Here\u2019s the complete story.<\/p>\n

The Vatican\u2019s 1938 Condemnation<\/strong><\/p>\n

In their attempts to show that the Church condemns Luisa\u2019s writings, her critics
\npoint out that in 1938 the Vatican placed three books associated with her name on what was known as the Index of Forbidden Books.\u00a0 \u00a0(Note:\u00a0 the article<\/em> “Interesting Facts about Luisa and her writings” <\/strong>–\u00a0located at the end of this article – <\/em>has more specific information about the books in question) <\/em>This was a serious matter to be sure.\u00a0 But the complete picture includes some important facts that Luisa\u2019s critics routinely avoid mentioning.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 The 1938 condemnation had nothing whatsoever to do with Luisa\u2019s 36 volume spiritual diary, known as \u201cBook of Heaven,\u201d which is her most important work<\/em>.\u00a0 This work of 40 years, containing the overwhelming weight of her spiritual doctrine on the
\nDivine Will, was never placed on the Index.\u00a0 This is especially significant because in 1938 Vatican officials not only knew about this exhaustive work, they also had the actual, original volumes in the Vatican archives!\u00a0 If they had ever wanted to \u201ccondemn\u201d this work of Luisa, that would have been the time.\u00a0 But they didn\u2019t.\u00a0 And so, no taint
\nof condemnation has ever been upon the most important thing that Luisa wrote.\u00a0 In fact the official, Church appointed censor, gave the Nihil Obstat to the first 19 volumes of the \u201cBook of Heaven\u201d after examining them intently in their original Italian language over a
\nperiod of 17 years, prior to his death.\u00a0 The archbishop who appointed this censor gave his handwritten Imprimatur directly on those original manuscripts.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Regarding the three books that were placed on the Index in 1938, two of them had several other editions.\u00a0 The condemnation was limited only to the specific editions officially mentioned. Other editions of these same two books have been published with full ecclesiastic approval, even as late as 1997.\u00a0 The third work was a compilation of edited extracts from Luisa\u2019s writings, which has never been reprinted.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 The Vatican itself abolished the Index of Forbidden Books in 1966. This means that it no longer has any binding effect on Catholics.\u00a0 In abolishing the Index the Vatican advised Catholics still to be \u201con guard\u201d about all the books that were on the Index, but also told us that from that point forward, regarding these books, \u201cthe Church trusts in the mature conscience of the faithful.\u201d\u00a0 In a word, there was no longer any \u201ccondemnation.\u201d\u00a0 This clearly means that, as to these three books attributed to Luisa, Holy Mother Church now tells us, to paraphrase, \u201cYou\u2019re perfectly free to read them. Just be careful; I trust you.\u201d<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Actually it would be pretty hard for us to read any of these three books anyway, even if we wanted to.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because none of the condemned editions are in print, not even in the Italian original.\u00a0 Every book of Luisa\u2019s writings that is currently in print, at least in English and by the Center for the Divine Will, has been translated only from versions fully approved by the Church.<\/p>\n

Luisa\u2019s critics might reply that all that\u2019s fine, but the fact remains that three of the works, even if not all of them, were once placed on the Vatican\u2019s Index and never specifically taken off. \u00a0They take this to mean that there is still some lingering Vatican
\ndisapproval of her and her writings.\u00a0 Some even take it as a lingering \u201ccondemnation,\u201d despite the Vatican\u2019s own clear language to the contrary in 1966.\u00a0 But is there really any lingering disapproval of any kind by the Vatican?\u00a0 It seems from an official statement by the Vatican in 1994 that the answer is no.<\/p>\n

The Vatican\u2019s 1994 Non Obstare<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before a bishop can begin an investigation for any person\u2019s Cause of Beatification he
\nmust first obtain permission from the Vatican, otherwise known as the Holy See.\u00a0 The Congregation for the Causes of Saints grants this permission on behalf of the Holy See only after consulting all the other appropriate Curial offices of the Vatican to determine whether there are any objections to the candidate\u2019s cause proceeding.<\/p>\n

Following this requirement the Most Reverend Carmelo Cassati, Archbishop of
\nTrani-Barletta-Bisceglia, the archdiocese in which Luisa died, sought permission from the Vatican to proceed with her Cause.\u00a0 By way of an official letter dated February 24, 1994, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints declared, \u201con the part of the Holy See the NON OBSTARE for the opening of the Cause of Beatification of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta.\u201d<\/p>\n

The meaning here is certain:\u00a0 No office of the Holy See, including the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which issued the original 1938 condemnation, considered that condemnation to present an impediment for Luisa Piccarreta being declared a saint<\/em>.\u00a0 In other words, the Holy See does not now consider that what Luisa contributed to the three books they originally placed on the Index, much less anything else she wrote, contains anything against faith and morals.\u00a0 If they thought otherwise, they would have objected to the diocese proceeding with what would amount to a hopeless Cause.<\/p>\n

The irony is that those who insist that the Holy See still \u201ccondemns\u201d or even \u201cdisapproves\u201d Luisa\u2019s writings are contradicting the obvious meaning of the Holy See\u2019s own official statement in 1994.<\/p>\n

A Similar Case:\u00a0 Blessed (now Saint) Padre Pio<\/strong><\/p>\n

Does the fact that the Holy See does not \u201ccondemn\u201d Luisa or her writings mean that
\nthey \u201capprove\u201d them beyond the approvals given by her archdiocese?\u00a0 Not necessarily.\u00a0 Sometimes, officially speaking, the Holy See is just \u201cneutral\u201d about such matters.\u00a0 And in some instances, over time the Holy See changes its mind.\u00a0 The case of Blessed (now Saint) Padre Pio presents a good illustration.<\/p>\n

Early in the twentieth century this holy but sometimes misunderstood friar was silenced by Pope Pius XI and forbidden to receive visitors.\u00a0 His ministry was, in a word, \u201ccondemned.\u201d\u00a0 Eventually the ban was lifted, and he was allowed once again to minister to penitents.\u00a0 Furthermore, after his death the Holy See eventually declared the \u201cNon Obstare\u201d for his Cause of Beatification to proceed.\u00a0 But none of this yet amounted to their outright, official \u201capproval\u201d of him or his ministry.\u00a0 They just became officially \u201cneutral.\u201d\u00a0 As far as the Vatican was concerned, Catholics could take Padre Pio or leave him.<\/p>\n

But that all changed when Padre Pio was declared Venerable in 1997.\u00a0 By papal decree Padre Pio\u2019s virtues were henceforth to be held by all Catholics as heroic.\u00a0 Furthermore, Catholics were definitively assured that none of Padre Pio\u2019s writings contained any matter against faith and morals.\u00a0 In a word, he was finally, officially, \u201capproved\u201d by the Catholic Church.<\/p>\n

From the Vatican\u2019s viewpoint Luisa\u2019s sanctity and her writings are presently in the same sort of \u201cneutral\u201d category.\u00a0 The Catholic Church does not yet officially give them her full \u201capproval,\u201d but neither does she \u201ccondemn\u201d them.\u00a0 As far as the Vatican is concerned, it is with Luisa Piccarreta now as it was with Padre Pio before he was declared Venerable; Catholics are free to take or leave her and her writings.<\/p>\n

Indications of Official Catholic \u201cApproval\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since she has not yet been declared \u201cVenerable\u201d there is nothing that yet amounts to
\nformal Vatican \u201capproval\u201d of Luisa\u2019s writings.\u00a0 But there are certainly favorable indications about them from the lower, diocesan level of Catholic authority.\u00a0 These indications should, at the very minimum, help Catholics be confident that they are not out of line with the Church if they read and enjoy her writings.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 First is the mere fact of Luisa\u2019s Cause of Beatification.\u00a0 Bishops typically will
\nonly put forward a candidate if he or she has a clear history of being an exemplary Catholic in every way, most especially in obedience and submission to the Church and her teachings.\u00a0 There is no question about either in Luisa\u2019s case.\u00a0 The historical record shows that she wrote her spiritual diary only in obedience to her bishop and the priests he assigned to\u00a0 her; she would never have written it otherwise.\u00a0 Moreover, she submitted everything she wrote to their continuous review and censorship.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 In 1926 the first 19 volumes of Luisa\u2019s spiritual diary, as mentioned above, were published with the Imprimatur of Archbishop Joseph Leo and the Nihil Obstat of Blessed (now Saint) \u00a0(Fr.) Hannibal Di Francia.\u00a0 These are official statements from the Catholic diocese in which a book is published certifying 1) that it is being published with the permission of the local bishop and 2) that there is nothing in it contrary to faith and morals.\u00a0 They are given as reliable guides to the Catholic faithful.\u00a0 Since they have never been removed, Catholics may still rely upon them.\u00a0\u00a0 Now, some special mention should be made of Blessed (now Saint) Hannibal Di Francia\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n

Blessed (now Saint) Hannibal Di Francia and Luisa\u2019s Writings<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to being appointed by Bishop Leo to be the censor of her writings, Blessed (now Saint) Hannibal Di Francia was also Luisa’s extraordinary confessor for 17 years.\u00a0 Not only did he find nothing contrary to Catholic faith or morals in her writings, he, a priest widely renowned for spiritual discernment, also found them to be of immense spiritual value.\u00a0 His published letters to her indicate his deep appreciation for her spiritual doctrine, and his dedication to promoting it.<\/p>\n

American critics who have recently written that Luisa\u2019s writings contradict the Catholic Faith, in effect pit their opinions against Blessed (now Saint) Hannibal\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cHis opinion is not infallible,\u201d they might say.\u00a0 But let\u2019s not forget, neither is theirs.\u00a0 And think for a minute – Blessed (now Saint) Hannibal knew Luisa personally and interpreted what she wrote only in the context of both her cultural background and her life as a whole.\u00a0 Who among her critics can claim the same?\u00a0 Blessed (now Saint)\u00a0Hannibal also read every word of her spiritual diary (until his death in 1927) in the Italian original, and not just a few selected, translated passages.\u00a0\u00a0 Who among her critics can claim the same?\u00a0 With all of these factors in mind, whose opinion, Blessed (now Saint) Hannibal\u2019s or theirs, is probably more reliable?<\/p>\n

Understanding Archbishop Cassati\u2019s Moratorium on Public Promotion<\/strong><\/p>\n

In January 1998 Archbishop Carmelo Cassati, then the archbishop in charge of Luisa\u2019s cause, asked for a moratorium on public promotion of her spirituality.\u00a0 He did this to restore the tranquility and respect proper to the process of Luisa\u2019s Cause.\u00a0 He also mentioned the \u201cpoor or exaggerated explanations of her writings\u201d that had sometimes been given by some of her promoters.\u00a0 He emphasized that it \u201cis the task of those who explain her doctrine to others\u2026 to reconcile it with the teaching of the Church,\u201d and that \u201ca period of time for reflection\u201d would be helpful in this regard.\u00a0 I wish to bring out two matters regarding his wise request.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Archbishop Cassati did not question the doctrinal correctness of Luisa\u2019s original writings, only the manner in which some of her promoters had explained them.
\nThis is certainly prudent advice.\u00a0 We must be careful to interpret and \u201cpromote\u201d even Scripture itself only in harmony with Church teaching.\u00a0 A spirituality as profound as Luisa\u2019s needs the same kind of care.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Specifically in response to Archbishop Cassati\u2019s request to \u201creconcile (Luisa\u2019s doctrine) with the teaching of the Church,\u201d on February 11, 1999 the Center for the Divine Will published a detailed treatise I had written entitled \u201cThe Orthodoxy of Luisa Piccarreta\u2019s Writings:\u00a0 A Response to Certain Doctrinal Objections.\u201d\u00a0 It was a point-by-point rebuttal of each critic and organization that had published negative opinions about Luisa.*\u00a0 With the hopes of engaging an open theological dialogue that would be helpful to everyone concerned, I mailed copies to each one of them.\u00a0 In the seventeen months since then I have received scarcely any response.<\/p>\n

Summary:\u00a0 The Catholic Church Allows Us to Read and Enjoy Luisa<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have shown in this short paper that the Catholic Church does not condemn either Luisa Piccarreta or her writings.\u00a0 There is absolutely no doubt that the Vatican\u2019s current, official position is neutral.\u00a0 This is evidenced most especially by the fact that six years ago Holy Mother Church allowed, and She continues to allow, Luisa\u2019s Cause of Beatification to proceed.<\/p>\n

The Archbishop promoting Luisa\u2019s Cause is doing so in strict accord with Canon Law and in complete harmony with Rome.\u00a0 This includes a careful and comprehensive review of Luisa\u2019s writings by competent, independent experts in theology.<\/p>\n

Catholics should know once and for all that published opinions of critics are just that \u2013 opinions.\u00a0 They are not binding upon the consciences of Catholics.\u00a0 They do not represent the authority of the Catholic Church.\u00a0 We are free to disagree with them.\u00a0 In short, this is a matter that is open for discussion in the Catholic Church.\u00a0 And so\u2026<\/p>\n

If anyone claims or implies that the Catholic Church condemns Luisa Piccarreta or any of her writings, he is either intentionally or unintentionally a purveyor of falsehood.<\/em><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Interesting Facts about Luisa and her writings<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>In May of 1938, following a persecution of Luisa by certain parties, and in a time when the Vatican was clamping down on the many reported mystics of that time, including
\nPadre Pio, who was condemned by Pope Pius XI, a delegate was sent from the then Holy Office to Luisa’s home in Corato, Italy, to confiscate three works associated with Luisa’s name, which had been edited, changed, and published by her last confessor, Don Benedetto Calvi.\u00a0 These three works were definitely not\u00a0the volumes of the Book of Heaven, which had not been published.\u00a0 The three published works were: “The Hours of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ with a treatise on the Divine Will” “The Queen of Heaven in the Kingdom of the Divine Will,” and a compilation of passages from Luisa’\u00a0first four volumes with the title, “In the Kingdom of the Divine Will.”\u00a0 Remember these three works were not as originally written by Luisa, but were edited and changed by Don Benedetto Calvi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The delegate from the Holy Office did not report his presence or mission to the ordinary of the diocese.\u00a0 During the episode at Luisa’s house, when the delegate from the Holy Office was collecting the copies of the three works, Luisa remained calm, but the delegate also took her private diary – the notebooks of the volumes of the Book of Heaven!\u00a0 He took volumes 1 through 34.\u00a0 The matter of his authority to take these volumes is obscure, but it is believed by those close to the history of Luisa’s life that this delegate did not have any authority to take those volumes, which were her personal, private property.\u00a0 Volume 35 was overlooked, and volume 36 was only in the beginning stage.\u00a0 Luisa wrote a letter to be sent to the Holy Office, submitting herself totally to the decisions of the Church, stating that she would condemn whatever the Church condemned and approve whatever the Church approved.\u00a0 Her Archbishop told her that it was not necessary to send that letter.<\/p>\n

Three months later, an unsigned article appeared in the Osservatore Romano<\/em>, stating that the three above-mentioned works had been placed on the Index of Forbidden Books due to false spirituality and extravagant terms, etc.; but, significantly, no explanation was given of any error against Catholic Faith or Morals.\u00a0 Here, we are reminded of the 19-year condemnation of the writings on the Divine Mercy by Blessed (now Saint) Sr. Faustina of Poland.<\/p>\n

The 34 volumes of the Book of Heaven were consigned to the archives of the Holy Office, now called The Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, under the current (now past) leadership of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict Benedict XVI).\u00a0 Providentially, these writings were carefully wrapped in protective paper and maintained in perfect conditon to await another day in God’s providence.<\/p>\n

In 1967 the Index of Forbidden Books was abolished by Pope Paul VI.\u00a0 Juridical penalties for reading the books on the Index were removed, but the moral requirements remained, namely not to expose one’s self to the occasion of sins against faith or morals.\u00a0 This requirement always exists.\u00a0 The Vatican no longer has a procedure for reviewing all the publications concerning religious content.\u00a0 From time to time, certain writings are investigated by the Vatican with juridical penalties for those disapproved by the Vatican.<\/p>\n

In late 1993, Cardinal \u00a0(now Pope Benedict Benedict XVI) Ratzinger’s Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, investigated the condemnation of the three works associated with Luisa’s name, as well as the history of her writings, and found nothing to impede the process for Luisa’s Cause of Beatification from going forward.\u00a0 In fact all the Sacred Congregations of the Vatican concurred that there was nothing to impede Luisa’s Cause from going forward.\u00a0 It is always difficult to know with precision the inner workings and decisions of Vatican offices, but it has been said that Cardinal \u00a0(now Pope Benedict Benedict XVI)\u00a0Ratzinger’s office has cleared the record concerning the three condemned books, possibly having them specifically removed from the old Index.\u00a0 What is certain is that Luisa’s name has been cleared of any <\/strong>stigma attached to the 1938 condemnation, and no Vatican office had any objection to opening her Cause for Beatification<\/strong>.\u00a0 If there had been any question of danger to Catholic Faith or Morals, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith would never have consented to the opening of Luisa’s Cause for Beatification. In fact, Archbishop Cassati, who is completely informed on the entire matter, recommended any attentive study of Luisa’s writings in a Pastoral Letter dated January 23, 1997. (See Decree, Edict <\/strong>and other letters that follow this article)<\/em><\/p>\n

On March 28, 1994, Angelo Cardinal Felici, prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Cause of the Saints, signed an official letter to Archbishop Carmelo Cassati of the Archdiocese where Luisa lived, stating that he was pleased to notify him that there was no objection on the part of the Vatican to the opening of Luisa Piccarreta’a Cause of Beatification and that he had formal permission to do so.\u00a0 Luisa’s Cause was opened on the Feast of Christ the King, November 20, 1994.<\/p>\n

In January of 1996, Cardinal \u00a0(now Pope Benedict Benedict XVI) Ratzinger\u00a0released the 34 Volumes of the Book of Heaven to Archbishop Cassati as part of the protocol for process of Luisa’s Cause of Beatification.\u00a0 A team went to the archives of (then)\u00a0Cardinal \u00a0(now Pope Benedict Benedict XVI) Ratzinger’s office and spent 4 days photocopying and photographing the 34 volumes, finishing the project on February 2, 1996.\u00a0 The originals were in perfect condition and were returned to the archives.\u00a0 The photocopies were taken to the Archdiocese of Trani and placed under the custodianship of Archbishop Cassati.<\/p>\n

Concerning the original Volumes 35 and 36, they are in the custody of a certain priest in Florida, who has submitted photocopies of them to Archbishop Cassati.<\/p>\n

In March of 1997, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Luisa’s death, it was<\/strong>
\nannounced publicly that the Tribunal Responsible for Luisa’ Cause had deternimed unanimously that Luisa’s life was one of heroic virtue and that her mystical experiences were authentic.\u00a0<\/strong> Also, in 1997, due to the Beatification process, two independent, highly qualified theologians commissioned by the Church to review Luisa’s writings submitted their reports stating that they found nothing contrary to Catholic Faith or Morals.\u00a0<\/strong> There may possibly be even more theological reviews before Luisa’s Cause goes to Rome.<\/p>\n

In summary, the record is entirely clear concerning the writings of Luisa Piccarreta.
\nAnyone can read them with a clear conscience and be completely at peace.\u00a0 May God receive all the Glory He deserves and has determined to receive from his Creation, a subject which is most beautifully brought to our attention in the Book of Heaven.<\/p>\n

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Does the Catholic Church Condemn Luisa Piccarreta\u2019s Writings? Stephen Patton, M.A., J.D.   July 10, 2000 Do you remember the old saying we all learned in grade school, \u201cDon\u2019t believe everything you read\u201d?\u00a0 It stands as true today as ever.\u00a0 … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7779,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-240","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7779"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=240"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11609,"href":"https:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/240\/revisions\/11609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}