The Vatican’s doctrinal office has issued a mixed opinion on alleged Marian apparitions that have occurred in Southern Italy, allowing private acts of devotion but no public worship at the site.
Newsroom (30/07/2025, Gaudium Press ) The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued a letter to Bishop Camillo Cibotti of Isernia-Venafro and Trivento, addressing alleged supernatural phenomena associated with Mount S. Onofrio in Agnone, Italy. The letter, prompted by a diocesan investigation, evaluates a spiritual movement centered on reported visions and messages, concluding with a cautious but positive assessment for private devotions only and a call for continued discernment.
Background and Investigation
The phenomena, linked to an alleged visionary described as a sincere and devout individual, have drawn attention for their spontaneous nature and spiritual fruits. A diocesan commission, established by Bishop Cibotti’s predecessor, conducted a thorough investigation, submitting its findings to the Dicastery. The Dicastery’s response aligns with the 2024 Norms for Proceeding in the Discernment of Alleged Supernatural Phenomena, proposing a determination of prae oculis habeatur—a designation recognizing positive elements but requiring ongoing oversight due to potential risks.
Positive Aspects of the Phenomena
The Dicastery highlights two key aspects supporting a favorable view of the Mount S. Onofrio experience:
Spontaneity of Manifestations: The reported visions occur unexpectedly, without premeditation or prompting, a hallmark of authenticity noted in the Norms (Art. 14, 3º). Testimonies, such as one from December 25, 2010, emphasize that gatherings for prayer, particularly the Rosary, are not motivated by expectation of supernatural events but by faith. The visionary’s simplicity and lack of formal education further suggest the phenomena are not contrived.
Gospel-Aligned Messages: The alleged messages emphasize core Christian themes, including devotion to the Holy Spirit, the centrality of the Eucharist, Reconciliation, and the Word of God. Messages from 2011 to 2020 call for joy, charity, and solidarity, urging believers to proclaim Christ’s love and support the suffering. The Virgin Mary is frequently depicted directing attention to Jesus, as in a July 22, 2017, message instructing the placement of flowers before the Eucharistic tabernacle.
Areas of Concern
Despite these positive signs, the Dicastery identifies two issues requiring vigilance:
Ecclesial Disobedience: A decree issued on June 23, 2021, and reaffirmed by Bishop Cibotti on July 3, 2025, prohibits public or private worship related to the alleged apparitions. Some clergy members have reportedly encouraged non-compliance, creating a “parallel magisterium” that undermines Church unity. The Dicastery stresses the need for obedience to ecclesiastical authority, citing St. Paul’s teaching that “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Cor 14:32-33).
Theological Ambiguity: Concerns exist about potential confusion regarding the relationship between the living and the deceased. While the messages avoid explicit errors, they include unusual claims, such as souls manifesting through the mediation of a guardian angel. The Dicastery clarifies that Catholic teaching permits prayer for the dead but condemns evocation or spiritism, emphasizing the communion of saints as a bond of love rooted in Christ’s Paschal Mystery.
Pastoral Guidance and Restrictions
The prae oculis habeatur determination prohibits public worship, including liturgical rites, organized pilgrimages, or dissemination of messages without ecclesiastical approval. However, private devotion, such as personal visits to the cross on Mount S. Onofrio or prayer along the Via Crucis, is permitted. The Dicastery encourages humility and dialogue with Church authorities to address ambiguities and foster ecclesial unity.
Theological Reflection on the Deceased
To guide pastoral accompaniment, the letter provides a catechesis on the Church’s teaching about the deceased. It distinguishes between condemned practices like spiritism and the legitimate practice of praying for the dead, rooted in Scripture (2 Macc 12:43, 46) and the communion of saints (Lumen Gentium, n. 49). The soul, understood as the person’s spiritual essence, persists after death, awaiting bodily resurrection. Prayer for the dead, particularly through the Eucharist, is affirmed as a work of mercy that strengthens communal bonds and counters modern individualism.
Alleged Messages and Angelic Mediation
The Mount S. Onofrio messages align with Church teaching by rejecting magical practices and emphasizing intercessory prayer over curiosity about the afterlife. References to guardian angels mediating the appearance of deceased souls are noted as unusual but not inherently problematic, provided they avoid mediumistic connotations. The Dicastery urges Bishop Cibotti to ensure clarity on this point within the spiritual movement.
Path Forward
The Dicastery expresses hope that addressing these concerns could pave the way for a future nulla osta determination, permitting broader recognition of the phenomena. It entrusts the Diocese of Trivento to the Virgin Mary’s intercession, encouraging continued pastoral discernment.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from vatican.va
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