(Death, Heaven, Purgatory, Hell)
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
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Declaration Concerning the "Bayside
Movement"
November 4, 1986
Letter of Bishop John Mugavero of Brooklyn
In recent months, doubts have been raised by members of the so-called
"Bayside Movement" concerning the official position of the Diocese of
Brooklyn on the alleged "apparitions" of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and
other heavenly beings, to a woman by the name of Vernica Lueken.
Moreover, erroneous claims have been made by a number of followers of Mrs.
Lueken concerning the legitimacy of their position, in order to justify
their activities on behalf of the "Movement." These have taken the form
of statements in their publications that "since
Articles 1399 and 2218 of (the 1917 Code of) Canon Law
were abrogated by Pope Paul VI in 1966, no
ecclesiastical permission is required, neither can anyone incure censure,
for the publication or dissemination of information dealing with
revelations, visions or miracles, provided these do not endanger Faith or
morals."
As a result of the above-mentioned doubts and claims, a number of Christ's
faithful continue to attend the regularly-scheduled "vigils" held at
Flushing Meadow Park, and to disseminate or receive propaganda literature
on this matter.
I, the undersigned Diocesan Bishop of Brooklyn, in my role as the
legitimate shepherd of this particular Church, wish to confirm the
constant position of the Diocese of Brooklyn that a thorough
investigation revealed that the alleged "visions of
Bayside" completely lacked
authenticity.
Moreover, in view of the confusion created by published reports of
messages and other literature by this "Movement," I consider it my
obligation to offer Christ's faithful pastoral guidance, lest their faith
be endangered by "messages" and "teachings" relayed by
"visionaries," which are contrary to the Faith
of our Catholic Church.
Therefore, in consultation with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, I hereby declare that:
1. No credibility can be given to the so-called "apparitions" reported by
Veronica Lueken and her followers.
2. The "messages" and other related propaganda contain statements which,
among other things, are contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church,
undermine the legitimate authority of bishops and councils and instill
doubts in the minds of the faithful, for example, by claiming that, for
years, an "imposter (sic) Pope" governed the Catholic Church in place of
Paul VI.
3. Those who persistently maintain that "no ecclesiastical permission is
required for the publication or dissemination" of information concerning
"revelations, visions or miracles," are erroneously interpreting the
directives of the Holy See when they attempt to justify the publication
of the propaganda literature on the "Bayside
Messages."
In view of my declaration concerning the authenticity of the "visions of
Bayside," the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has confirmed
that the principles governing the publication of such religious material
still maintain authoritative moral value prohibiting the endangering of
faith and good morals (Cf. Response of SCDF of June 14, 1966, in AAS 58,
1186).
As a result, those publishing or disseminating this propaganda literature
are acting against the judgment of legitimate Church authority.
4. Because of my concern for their spiritual welfare, members of Christ's
faithful are hereby directed to refrain from participating in the
"vigils" and from disseminating any propaganda related
to the "Bayside apparitions." They are also
discouraged from reading any such literature.
5. Anyone promoting this devotion in any way, be it by
participating in the "vigils," organizing pilgrimages,
publishing or disseminating the literature related to
it, is contributing to the confusion which is being
created in the faith of God's people, as well as encouraging them to act
against the determinations made by the legitimate pastor of this
particular Church (c.212, para. 1).
It remains my constant hope that all the faithful spend their time and
energies in promoting devotion to our Blessed Lady, in the many forms
which have been approved by the Catholic Church.
(Signed):
Bishop John Mugavero
Bishop of Brooklyn
This document was taken from "Cults, Sects, and the New
Age," by Rev. James J. LeBar.