Beloved in Christ, In recent months someone posted a false statement in relation to the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta and Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi s doctoral dissertation. The false claim is that the doctoral dissertation violated a moratorium on Luisa s writings. Seeking to shed light on the matter, Fr. Iannuzzi met with Archbishop G.B. Pichierri and members of the curia who have, in turn, informed Fr. Iannuzzi that he never violated any moratorium on Luisa s writings as on Jan. 29, 2002 the same archdiocese granted Fr. Iannuzzi explicit permission to write his dissertation on Luisa s writings (see footnote 3) and the archbishop provided a legal representative with the following official document from the archbishop s desk that happily clarifies the matter: Trani, June 11, 2017 Dear, Attorney at Law, I received your letter of May 22, 2017 in which you refer my attention to the article that Mr. Emmett O Regan posted on the internet in relation to Rev. Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi. On May 3, 2017 the Archiepiscopal Curia and also I welcomed Rev. Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi who explained to me the specifics contained within Emmet s letter. In this regard, I desire to indicate that that which I am to share with you about the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta is all contained already in the Communication n.3 which I hereby attach. Therefore Rev. Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi s work of research and diffusion undertaken in relation to the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta is properly understood in light of this declaration [Communication] of mine to which, to this day, I have made no additions, as there have not been any new developments to the Cause of Beatification and Canonization that are underway at the Holy See. Moreover since Fr. Joseph is not canonically affiliated with this archdiocese, I am convinced that his good reputation, which I have never called into question, will be best reaffirmed by his lawful Superior. I assure you of my prayers in your esteemed work, and I extend to you my warm greetings. + Archbishop Giovan Battista Pichierri 1
The above letter was written by the archbishop to clear the air of a false public posting that dasparages Fr. Iannuzzi s doctoral dissertation on Luisa s doctrines that enjoys the ecclesiastical approbation of the Pontifical University of Rome, which is authorized by the Holy See and is endorsed in writing by scores of Catholic bishops the world over. The archbishop s June 11, 2017 letter on behalf of the doctoral research and diffusion of Luisa Piccarreta and good reputation of Fr. Iannuzzi, comes in furtherance of his letter of June 15, 2005 in support of Fr. Joseph. 1 Moreover, with respect to the aforesaid Communication n.3 in relation to Fr. Iannuzzi s research, one is reminded of the following: a) An admonition is extended to all those who claim that these writings [of Luisa] contain doctrinal errors. This, to date, has never been endorsed by any pronouncement by the Holy See, nor personally by myself (Communication n.3, art. 4); b) Inasmuch as each individual bishop has been entrusted with the care of a particular church, that is, a diocese (Canon Law 372, 1; Papal Decree, Christus Dominus n. 11), the archdiocese does not appoint anyone outside of its diocesan jurisdiction to represent it (Communication n.3., art. 5), while those who are not a member of said archdiocese ( outside ) are to receive authorization from their respective lawful superiors. 2 It is significant that Fr. Iannuzzi has obtained every year a letter of good standing from his lawful superior, while also receiving the singular privilege of official authorization to travel to Rome to commence, to research, to write and to publish a doctoral dissertation on the doctrines in the writings of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta. c) It is noteworthy that Corato is entrusted with Luisa s writings and beatification, whereas the interpretation of her doctrines belongs to Ecclesiastical Universities approved by the Holy See. Indeed Catholic Church s Code of Canon Law (cans. 815-817) that is universally binding on all Christians, does not grant to Corato the power to authorize or approve a theological doctoral dissertation on Luisa s writings or doctrines, rather it grants this power to an Ecclesiastical University. And Fr. Joseph has obtained from the Ecclesiastical Pontifical University of Rome, which is authorized by the Apostolic See (the Vatican), this approval and authorization to publish his Doctoral Dissertation on Luisa s writings. Happily, the official documents contained herein provide a timely and definitive response to the matter. 1 In his letter of June 15, 2005, Archbishop G.B. Pichierri affirms in a written and signed letter to Fr. Iannuzzi, To anyone who should attempt to denigrate you Fr. Joseph, you have this letter to show them as well as other documents by those in authority over you that testify to their support on your behalf. 2 According to canon law a priest who does not belong to the Archdiocese of Trani cannot receive a letter of suitability (authorization) from said archdiocese. Such a letter can only be granted from his own superior or bishop. Canon law, 903 states: A priest is to be permitted to celebrate even if the rector of the church does not know him, provided that either he presents a letter of introduction from his ordinary or superior, issued at least within the year 2
Official Church documents authorizing Fr. Iannuzzi to travel to Rome to commence, to research, to write and to publish the Doctoral Dissertation Inasmuch as the truth contains the force to disarm falsehood in its most cunning forms, I invite you to consider the following truths contained in the Church s official documents: 1) On January 29, 2002 Fr. Iannuzzi, in a spirit of filial obedience, travels to the Archdiocese in Italy to obtain a letter of permission to commence studies in Rome for a doctoral dissertation on the doctrines in the writings of Luisa Piccarreta, and this letter, signed and sealed by the Archdiocese of Trani, is granted him. 3 2) On November 27, 2002 Fr. Iannuzzi receives a letter of authorization to travel to Rome to commence research on the doctoral dissertation of Luisa Piccarreta written and signed by the Bishop of St. Mary Major in Rome and addressed to the Pope s Vicar, Camillo Cardinal Ruini. 4 3 On Jan. 29, 2002 the Archdiocese of Trani issues the following written and signed letter to the Pontifical University on behalf of Fr. Iannuzzi: In response to your request for a letter for the moderator of your doctoral thesis... I can assure you that there are no objections for the scientific research on the writings of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta ( In risposta alla tua richiesta di una lettera per il moderatore della tua tesi di dottorato posso assicurarti che non vi sono obiezioni per l approfondimento scientifico degli scritti... della Serva di Dio Luisa Piccarreta ). 4 On Nov. 27, 2002 the Bishop of St. Mary Major declares in a written and signed letter to Camillo Cardinal Ruini, the Vicar General of Pope John Paul II of the Diocese of Rome, Your Eminence, The undersigned Bishop Roman Danylak, Titular Bishop of Nyssa and Canon of St, Mary Major Patriarchal Basilica, declares that: The Reverend Joseph Iannuzzi is a priest under my patronage. At present, Reverend Iannuzzi is completing his doctoral thesis at the Gregorian Pontifical University and is required to spend several months in Rome for research and consultation with the moderator of his thesis. Because he is under my supervision and guidance in this period I have written the Inspector General of the Questura of Rome I hereby request the Vicariate of Rome to grant to Rev. Iannuzzi a Nulla Osta for his sojourn in Rome for this period of his doctoral studies. In response to the bishop s request, the Vicariate of Rome grants said Nulla Osta to Fr. Iannuzzi for his sojourn in Rome for the purpose of completing his doctoral studies on the doctrines in the writings of Luisa Piccarreta. 3
3) January 11, 2013 Fr. Iannuzzi receives a letter of authorization to publish his doctoral dissertation on the doctrines and writings of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta from the Pontifical University of Rome, which is authorized by the Holy See. 5 Ecclesiastical Endorsements of Fr. Iannuzzi s Doctoral Dissertation From June 2013 July 2013 more than 45 Bishops express in writing their esteem for Fr. Joseph's doctoral dissertation on the doctrines in Luisa s writings when affirming, Such scholarly work provides an essential service to the Church and to the New Evangelization ; This will be of great service to the Church on behalf of this Servant of God who has had such incredibly mystical experiences. Thank you very much for taking care of the publicity and publication of this wonderful work ; I was struck with the splendid work of research and competence in writing which Fr. Iannuzzi brought to the completion of the book... It is deep and rich writing from a theological perspective..." Misconduct with actual legal malice On May 22, 2017 a legal representative issues the following formal statement putting the individual named Emmet O Regan on notice when informing Archbishop G.B. Pichierri that said individual submitted to him an intentionally misleading inquiry : Mr. O Regan s conduct in posting the Defamatory Posting to the internet is actionable as such under civil law... Moreover, as it is apparent that the Defamatory Posting was made with actual legal malice, Fr. Iannuzzi will have the right to seek an award of punitive damages... In addition to the civil nature of the wrong committed by Mr. O Regan, Mr. O Regan has also committed a violation of Code of Canon Law 220, which expressly forbids illegitimately harming the good reputation which Fr. Iannuzzi possesses. That same Cannon Law provision requires that Mr. O Regan take corrective action to restore the harm which he has unlawfully 5 On November 22, 2012 Fr. Iannuzzi publically presents before the theological faculty and student body of the Pontifical University the doctoral thesis entitled, The Operations of the Divine and Human Will in the Writings of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta An Inquiry into the Early Ecumenical Councils, and into Patristic, Scholastic and Contemporary Theology. The thesis is approved with high honours by said university which is authorized by the Holy See. After the November 22, 2012 successful public presentation of his doctoral dissertation on the writings of Luisa Piccarreta, on December 12, 2012 the Pontifical University of Rome authorizes Fr. Iannuzzi to publish said doctoral dissertation affirming, Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi you shall be called Doctor in Spirituality after you have published your dissertation, consigned the requested copies to the Secretary s Academic Office and obtained approbation from the Censors ( P. Joseph Iannuzzi sarà dichiarato Dottore in Spiritualità dopo che avrà pubblicato la sua dissertazione, ne avrà consegnato le copie richieste in Segreteria Accademica e avrà ottenuto l approvazione dei Censori ). In the official signed and sealed document of January 11, 2013, said Censors granted approbation magum cum laude to Fr. Iannuzzi s doctoral dissertation on Luisa s writings and authorize its publication. In 2013 the doctoral dissertation, with the authorization of the Pontifical University, is published and distributed to Vatican Congregations for the Doctrine of Faith and for the Causes of Saints, and to the 494 USA Catholic Bishops. Also 40 copies of extracts of this thesis were sent to the various Pontifical Universities and to the Archdiocese of Trani. From June 2013 July 2013, more than 45 Bishops express in writing their esteem for Fr. Iannuzzi s doctoral dissertation. 4
perpetrated in a calumnious and detractive manner against Fr. Iannuzzi (CIC, canon 1390, 2), which he has, thus far, refused to do. Mr. O Regan, as a putative Catholic, is required to abide by that Cannon Law prohibition The falsity of Mr. O Regan s Defamatory Posting is pointed out by the fact that nowhere in your March 30, 2017 letter did you confirm or support the aspersions that Mr. O Regan has accused Fr. Iannuzzi of, including breaching the moratorium imposed by you. 6 Indeed, all you, Archbishop Pichierri, confirm in your letter is that Fr. Iannuzzi does not speak for and is not a member of the Archdiocese of Trani or the Association Luisa Piccarreta-PFDV. Of course, Fr. Iannuzzi never represented himself as speaking for or otherwise offering an official position of either the Archdiocese of Trani or the Association Luisa Piccarreta-PFDV and, as such, the confirmation which you provided in the March 30, 2017, letter does not suggest any impropriety on Fr. Iannuzzi s part Conclusion In light of the preceding it is abundantly evident that the Church s official documents testify to the legitimacy and timeliness of Fr. Iannuzzi s doctoral dissertation that provides an essential service to the Church and to the New Evangelization: and will be of great service to the Church on behalf of this Servant of God. Said documents may be summarized as follows: a) Fr. Iannuzzi s doctoral dissertation enjoys the approbation and authorization for publication of the Church s Pontifical University, which is authorized by the Holy See. b) Fr. Iannuzzi is in good standing in the Catholic Church and is in good rapport with the Archdiocese of Trani and Archbishop G.B. Pichierri who has written letters in 2005 and as recent as 2017 on behalf of Fr. Iannuzzi s research, diffusion and good reputation. c) Fr. Iannuzzi has obtained in writing lawful ecclesiastical permission to travel to Rome to commence, to research, to write and to publish his doctoral dissertation on the doctrines in the writings of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta. Sincerely, The Association of Priests Corporation 6 Indeed, during Fr. Iannuzzi s June 11, 2017 meeting with the Archbishop Pichierri it was noted that the diffusion of his doctoral dissertation, approved the Pontifical University, does not violate a moratorium. Indeed, the publication of this thesis is not an isolated authorized printing containing Luisa s writings, as in this period pending the archdiocese s preparation of the critical edition of Luisa s volumes, one is permitted to diffuse such works written by Luisa as, The Hours of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and The Virgin Mary in the Kingdom of the Divine Will. 5