Post by Pacelli on Jun 12, 2023 9:33:08 GMT -5
The following is the photo of the notification of the Holy Office, dated March 6, 1959 forbidding the distribution of pictures and writings of the private revelations of Sr. Faustina concerning the Divine Mercy.
The photo directly from the Acta Apostolicae Sedis is below, and also a photo of the English translation which was published in the Canon Law Digest, Volume V, 1958-1963, p. 702.
(Comment: I would urge the reader to give attention to the beginning, "The Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, having examined the visions and revelations of Sister Faustina Kowalska of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy..."
The Holy Office is publicly attesting that they have examined the writings and visions of Sr. Faustina, and then are forbidding any distribution of these writings. The Holy Office doesn't explain in any detail why it took this action, but it is clear that this action was taken after examination as that much was stated, and as the Holy Office has the specific commission to safeguard Faith and morals, it is clear that there were problems detected either in the writings or visions.
In 1959, long before this private revelation began to be universally popular, this would have been seen by Rome as a mostly local problem in Poland, that could easily be extinguished by forbidding any distribution of the private revelations. There would not need to be any lengthy explanation, as it was a small and local issue, and simple obedience to the decree would be sufficient. Also, there are always risks to giving error too much attention, so responses must be moderate to the extent of the problem. In 1959, there was no need to give this matter the attention it may deserve today.
But, what we do have from the Holy Office says it all. These writings were examined, and clearly problems were found, as distribution was then forbidden, and pictures were ordered to be removed by the local bishops according to their discretion. The second part may appear weak, but, such decisions always have the risk of scandal, (read on "Scandal of the Little Ones") and in some areas, particularly in Poland an abrupt removal of these pictures may have caused more harm to souls than the good of a hasty removal, due to the ignorance of the laity, and even some clergy on this matter. Not every Catholic has the theological sophistication of the fathers of the Holy Office, to spot error, as sometimes error may be subtle enough or ambiguous enough to not detect it, that's why we trust the judgments of those with the training and the commission to be on guard for error, whether it's direct and clear or hidden, and trust their judgment and not our own.
A simple internet search will lead to some good material on what the Holy Office might have found, so if one wants to dig deeper, there is good commentary on this, but for those without the time or the ability, just trust that the Holy Office was not an incompetent or careless organization within the Church. This document would never have been published without careful review, most likely by many theologians who worked for the Holy Office, and likewise would not have been published unless there was at a minimum moral certainty among the reviewers that there were theological problems with the writings of Sister Faustina or in the visions, and also would never have been published without convincing those who controlled the Holy Office at the time that there were problems and action was needed to protect the sheep of the Church from danger. Whatever problems they found must have convinced quite a few of the Holy Office theologians to take this strong action.)
The photo directly from the Acta Apostolicae Sedis is below, and also a photo of the English translation which was published in the Canon Law Digest, Volume V, 1958-1963, p. 702.
(Comment: I would urge the reader to give attention to the beginning, "The Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, having examined the visions and revelations of Sister Faustina Kowalska of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy..."
The Holy Office is publicly attesting that they have examined the writings and visions of Sr. Faustina, and then are forbidding any distribution of these writings. The Holy Office doesn't explain in any detail why it took this action, but it is clear that this action was taken after examination as that much was stated, and as the Holy Office has the specific commission to safeguard Faith and morals, it is clear that there were problems detected either in the writings or visions.
In 1959, long before this private revelation began to be universally popular, this would have been seen by Rome as a mostly local problem in Poland, that could easily be extinguished by forbidding any distribution of the private revelations. There would not need to be any lengthy explanation, as it was a small and local issue, and simple obedience to the decree would be sufficient. Also, there are always risks to giving error too much attention, so responses must be moderate to the extent of the problem. In 1959, there was no need to give this matter the attention it may deserve today.
But, what we do have from the Holy Office says it all. These writings were examined, and clearly problems were found, as distribution was then forbidden, and pictures were ordered to be removed by the local bishops according to their discretion. The second part may appear weak, but, such decisions always have the risk of scandal, (read on "Scandal of the Little Ones") and in some areas, particularly in Poland an abrupt removal of these pictures may have caused more harm to souls than the good of a hasty removal, due to the ignorance of the laity, and even some clergy on this matter. Not every Catholic has the theological sophistication of the fathers of the Holy Office, to spot error, as sometimes error may be subtle enough or ambiguous enough to not detect it, that's why we trust the judgments of those with the training and the commission to be on guard for error, whether it's direct and clear or hidden, and trust their judgment and not our own.
A simple internet search will lead to some good material on what the Holy Office might have found, so if one wants to dig deeper, there is good commentary on this, but for those without the time or the ability, just trust that the Holy Office was not an incompetent or careless organization within the Church. This document would never have been published without careful review, most likely by many theologians who worked for the Holy Office, and likewise would not have been published unless there was at a minimum moral certainty among the reviewers that there were theological problems with the writings of Sister Faustina or in the visions, and also would never have been published without convincing those who controlled the Holy Office at the time that there were problems and action was needed to protect the sheep of the Church from danger. Whatever problems they found must have convinced quite a few of the Holy Office theologians to take this strong action.)