The Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith (CDF) of the Holy See has overruled a decree made by Lipa (Batangas) Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles that declared the Marian apparitions in Batangas in 1948 as of “supernatural origin” and “worthy of belief.”
In an official statement, the CDF cited a definitive confirmation made by Pope Pius XII in 1951 on the supposed apparitions, which he said, “were not of supernatural origin.”
“Furthermore, the CDF repeats its instruction that any and all commissions studying the question of the alleged supernatural phenomenon of the alleged apparitions in the Carmel of Lipa be immediately disbanded,” the decree said.
The CDF is the oldest among the nine congregations of the Roman Curia. It was founded in 1542 by Pope Paul IIII to defend the church from heresy. Today, it is the body responsible for promulgating and defending Catholic doctrine. The congregation’s sole objective is to “spread sound Catholic doctrine and defend those points of Christian tradition which seem in danger because of new and unacceptable doctrines.”
The CDF consists of an advisory board that includes cardinals, bishops, priests, lay theologians, and canon lawyers.
The current Prefect is German Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, who signed the degree rejecting the authenticity of the Lipa apparitions.
In an archdiocesan letter, Arguelles disclosed the decision made by the CDF last May 31. The decree was signed on Dec. 11, 2015 by Mueller, but the Archdiocese of LIpa received a copy of the decree only last May 30.
To recall, Arguelles declared the apparitions of the Blessed Mother to a nun in a convent in Lipa City, Batangas, that gave rise to the title Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, as of “supernatural character” and “worthy of belief” last September 12. 2015. (Christina Hermoso)