Contrary to what some people have been led to believe, the alleged apparitions of Garabandal have never been condemned by the Church. This is clearly affirmed in the nota of July 8, 1965 of Bishop of Santander Eugenio Beitia Aldazabal, which states: " . . . we have found no grounds for ecclesiastical condemnation either in the doctrine or in the spiritual recommendations that have been divulged in the events and addressed to the Christian faithful . . ."

     In 1979, Joey Lomangino, founder of the Workers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in New York, was called to Santander by Bishop Juan Antonio del Val Gallo. During the meeting, Joey asked the Bishop, "Is Garabandal condemned?" The Bishop replied, "No! Where did you ever hear that?" Bishop del Val was only too familiar with the statements of the bishops who preceded him in the diocese.

     Again, during an interview with Bishop del Val video taped by Michael Tubberty of New Zealand in 1992, the Bishop was asked if the apparitions had ever been condemned. He replied: "No. The previous bishops did not admit that the apparitions were supernatural but to condemn them, no, that word has never been used."

     Actually, it is premature to expect a definite pronouncement by the Local Ordinary or the Church. Even the positive judgment of a fully canonical investigation could not alter its current status so long as certain prophesied events are still pending.

     It would seem the Virgin Mary at Garabandal (1961 to1965) anticipated this and made the necessary provision. She predicted that we would be able to promote Garabandal with the permission of the Church. And it came to pass that with the abrogation in 1967 of Canons 1399 and 2318, it is permitted, without fear of ecclesiastical censorship, to publish information about alleged manifestations and visit the sites thereof so long as there is nothing in the events contrary to the Church's teaching on Faith and Morals. Garabandal clearly passes this test.

     So the status of the events is the same as it has always been and will remain so pending the fulfillment of the prophecies: the Warning, the Miracle, and the Permanent Sign. During this waiting period, all Catholics are free to be apprised of the Garabandal happenings and visit the site thereof without fear of ecclesiastical censure. Mass can be celebrated in the village church by visiting priests.

     Full recognition can only come with the fulfillment of those prophesied events and their awesome nature will be immediately recognized by the Church and the world as an act of God. Garabandal will have proved its own authenticity.

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