THE MOST RECENT DECISION OF THE HOLY SEE REGARDING THE WORK. THE POEM OF THE MAN-GOD by Maria Valtorta. (Prot.N. 144/5 i, dated April 17, 1993)

Transcription

1 THE MOST RECENT DECISION OF THE HOLY SEE REGARDING THE WORK THE POEM OF THE MAN-GOD by Maria Valtorta (Prot.N. 144/5 i, dated April 17, 1993)

2 THE POEM OF THE MAN-GOD CONTROVERSY Recently, there has been quite a bit of controversy about whether or not the work, The Poem of the Man- God, Volumes 1 through 5 by Maria Valtorta should be used. To get an answer to the question, the director of Caritas of Birmingham sent a letter dated July 21, 1992 to Cardinal Ratzinger. On May 11, 1993 Cardinal Ratzinger replied through our then local bishop, Most Rev. Raymond Boland. The following pages contain copies of both letters. As long as we keep the admonition of Cardinal Ratzinger in mind and repeat that admonition to others interested in this work, then the volumes of The Poem of the Man-God can be used by the faithful. Therefore, future printings of the work must contain this admonition. In the peace of Jesus and Mary, The Community of Caritas of Birmingham 3

3 July 21, 1992 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger Vatican City State Europe Dear Cardinal Ratzinger, We are a community in formation, not yet canonically tied to the Church. Our community is based on the messages of Our Lady given in Medjugorje. We are uncompromising in our loyalty to the Magisterium and Holy Father. Naturally, anything from God has opposition and we receive it from both extremes, the Conservatives and the Liberals. We believe ours is a mission of love and we subscribe to the Scripture verse which states, do everything in moderation! Our mission work is through Caritas of Birmingham, (no tie to Caritas International) which has a subscription of over 100,000 people on our mailing list in the U.S.A., not including an International distribution to 65 foreign countries. Our work is the implementation of Our Lady s plan given in Medjugorje which very simply calls us to holiness and thereby builds up and strengthens the Church. My purpose in writing you is for direction on a gray area and we need you, personally, to give us guidance. The book, Poem of the Man God. has been used here in our community and we have sold it to many others. We ve received many contradictory directions and we need a clear, recent statement in order to know what to do. There currently is a storm about this and several conservative Catholic newspapers have written against us because of this book. The following are items we understand. Please correct us if we are wrong. 1. Poem of the Man God was placed on the Index but not because it was against the moral teaching of the Church. 4

4 2. The Index no longer exists but the moral value of it still carries forth. We have read that the Poem was not put on the Index for morality or being against Church Teaching; therefore, is it permissible to read? 3. I am a close, personal friend of Marija Pavlovic, one of the visionaries in Medjugorje, and there is no question that she spoke to Our Lady and asked Her if one could read the Poem of the Man God. Our Lady answered that is was acceptable to read. Marija s statement cannot be ignored. Although many individuals have problems with this, we understand Our Lady s statement to be in complete harmony with Private Revelation as determined by Canon Law #1399 and #2318. We in no way see that Our Lady meant that these volumes are infallible. Our understanding of Our Lady s words to Marija were that while we may read these volumes, with all writings except Scripture, there are mistakes. 4. We talked to several priests and theologians. The ones who have read the books all said they found nothing against the Church s teachings. Those priests who we ve spoken to who have spoken out the strongest against it, when asked by us, stated they did not read them, only segments here and there. 5. We have witnessed some who perhaps place too much importance on them and, on the other hand, others who condemn anyone for reading them. We need a clear, concise statement that we can abide by and pass on to the several hundred thousand who we influence. There is much discussion and dissension among the flock over this that we plead for a strong shepherd s voice so the flock can be united. The only one who will win if we hear no voice of direction is satan, because presently he is having his hay day causing strife between those for and against these volumes. Both sides use the Church to defend their views. Because of the problems and importance of this matter, I respectfully request your personal attention, Cardinal Ratzinger, for the Church s response. May God bless you, Founder Caritas of Birmingham 5

5 6

6 The implications of this most recent decision of the Holy See (Prot.N. 144/58 i, dated April 17, 1993) should be quite clear and as long as we keep the admonition of Cardinal Ratzinger in mind and repeat that admonition to others interested in this work, then The Poem of the Man-God by Maria Valtorta can be used by the faithful. Therefore, future printings of the work must contain the following admonition: The visions and dictations referred to in the work, The Poem of the Man-God, are simply the literary forms used by the author to narrate in her own way the life of Jesus. They cannot be considered supernatural in origin. Please direct any further questions to: Community of Caritas of Birmingham 100 Our Lady Queen of Peace Drive Sterrett, Alabama USA Phone (205)

7 2009 SJP Lic. COB By no means is Caritas intending to pre-empt the Church on the validity of the apparitions. They are private revelation awaiting the Church s judgment. Because the Queen of Peace, Medjugorje, apparitions are ongoing and not yet over, the Church has yet to rule on their authenticity. Caritas of Birmingham, the Community of Caritas and all associated with it, realize and accept that the final authority regarding the Queen of Peace, Medjugorje, apparitions rests with the Holy See in Rome. We at Caritas, willingly submit to that judgment. Caritas of Birmingham and its mission is not connected to the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama. The Diocese of Birmingham s official position on Caritas is neutral and holds us as Catholics in good standing. 8