Vatican Rules Apparitions of Virgin Mary Near Rome ‘Not Supernatural’
By Courtney Mares
The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) announced Thursday that the alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Trevignano Romano, a town about 30 miles northwest of Rome, are not supernatural. This decision supports the local bishop’s ban on Masses and pilgrimages to the site.
On June 27, the DDF confirmed the validity of the Italian bishop’s decree declaring the supposed apparitions “not supernatural.” This decision follows new norms issued by the DDF last month for discerning alleged apparitions.
The Vatican’s investigation concerns claims by Gisella Cardia and her husband, Gianni, who reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, and God the Father after bringing back an image of Our Lady of Peace from Medjugorje in 2014. Cardia claims that the image weeps blood, multiplies food, and delivers messages on the third day of each month.
Cardia established a nonprofit association that accepts donations and organized prayer meetings at the site, which were not authorized by the Church. The chapel used for these gatherings was closed by the Trevignano city government.
Last year, Bishop Marco Salvi of Civita Castellana urged the faithful not to attend events with Cardia. The Civitavecchia prosecutor’s office also opened a fraud investigation against Cardia and her husband, and the town’s mayor ordered the demolition of the chapel where followers were meeting.
In a March 6 decree, Bishop Salvi detailed an investigation by experts, including Mariologists, theologians, canonists, and psychologists, which concluded that the events in Trevignano Romano are “not supernatural.” The decree highlighted “numerous theological errors” in the messages of the supposed apparitions.
Bishop Salvi prohibited priests from celebrating sacraments or leading events related to the Trevignano Romano apparitions and from encouraging the faithful to believe in their authenticity. He called on Cardia, her husband, and all involved to respect and adhere to the diocesan bishop’s decisions and to engage in a path of purification and discernment to maintain ecclesial unity.
This story was first published by Catholic News agency, EWTN Norway’s news partner. It has been adapted by EWTN Norway.
