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
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