NEWSWATCH | KAIROS GLOBAL | APRIL 2025

Author: Sam Biju

Vatican Declares Visions of Maria Valtorta Not of Supernatural Origin 

The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith recently declared that the messages in the writings of Italian Catholic mystic Maria Valtorta (1897-1961) are not considered supernatural in origin. In a statement issued on 22 February, the Dicastery noted that both clergy and laypeople frequently request clarification on the Church’s stance regarding Valtorta’s works. 

Valtorta, who spent over 30 years bedridden following an injury, claimed to have received visions and revelations from Jesus and the Virgin Mary. These experiences formed the basis of her extensive writings on the life of Christ, which include details absent from the canonical Gospels. Her most famous work, originally titled Il Poema dell’Uomo Dio (The Poem of the Man-God) and now known as L’Evangelo Come Mi è Stato Rivelato (The Gospel as Revealed to Me), spans 13,000 pages. Despite its popularity and the support of Pope Pius XII, the text was placed on the Index of Prohibited Books in1959 due to concerns about its alignment with Church teachings. This index, which identified texts deemed heretical or dangerous to the faith, was later abolished in 1966. In reaffirming its stance, the Vatican emphasised that Valtorta’s alleged ‘visions’, ‘revelations’ and ‘messages’ are literary devices she employed to present her interpretation of Jesus’ life. The Dicastery further explained that the Church has a long-standing tradition of rejecting apocryphal gospels and similar writings as authoritative since they are not recognised as divinely inspired. Instead, the Church relies on the canonical Gospels as the definitive accounts of Christ’s life and teachings. 

Statue of Our Lady of Fatima to Travel to Rome for Jubilee of Marian Spirituality 

The revered statue of Our Lady of Fatima, recognised globally for its spiritual significance, is set to visit Rome on 11-12 October 2025, during the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality. This iconic image, a symbol of enduring hope, will be present for a special Mass in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, 12 October 2025, enhancing the sacred atmosphere of prayer and reflection. The Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization announced on Thursday that entry to the Eucharistic Celebration will be free, and registration for the Jubilee event is now open on its official website. 

This upcoming visit will mark the fourth time the statue has travelled from its home in Fatima, Portugal, to Rome. The first occasion was in 1984 for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Redemption, during which Pope St John Paul II consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on 25 March. The second visit occurred in 2000 for the Great Jubilee, and the third was in October 2013 during the Year of Faith with Pope Francis. 

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, emphasised the statue’s importance, describing it as one of the most cherished Marian icons for Christians worldwide. He referenced Pope Francis’s Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee, Spes non confundit, which highlights Mary as the ‘most affectionate of mothers, who never abandons her children.’ The Archbishop added that the Virgin Mary’s message to the three shepherd children at Fatima remains relevant today: ‘I will never leave you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the path that will lead you to God.’ Father Carlos Cabecinhas, Rector of the Sanctuary of Fatima, explained that the statue leaves the Cova da Iria sanctuary only in exceptional circumstances and strictly at the Pope's request. He described the Virgin of Fatima as a ‘pilgrim of hope,’ representing Easter joy amid the world's challenges. 

In this visit, the ‘Lady dressed in white’ will join the ‘bishop dressed in white,’ a phrase the shepherd children affectionately used for the Pope. The statue, created in 1920 by Portuguese sculptor José Ferreira Thedim, stands 104 cm tall and was carved from Brazilian cedar based on the descriptions given by the shepherd children. It was crowned on 13 May 1946, and the crown was later adorned with the bullet that struck Pope John Paul II during the assassination attempt in St Peter's Square on 13 May 1981. 

Vatican conveys Ramadan greetings 

The Vatican has expressed its support for Muslims observing Ramadan, emphasising similarities between Ramadan and the Christian season of Lent. The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue released a statement on 7 March, encouraging stronger dialogue and friendship between the two faiths. The Vatican highlighted the importance of hope, describing it as a virtue grounded in faith in God, the Merciful and Creator. 

Ramadan in 2025 is expected to run from 28 February to 29 March, ending with Eid al-Fitr. Lent, which started on 5 March, will conclude on 17 April, followed by Easter Sunday. The Dicastery noted that this rare overlap offers an opportunity for both religious communities to connect through prayer, reflection, and acts of charity. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, recently appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, co-signed the statement with Secretary Father Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage. Koovakad, who succeeded the late Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, is a member of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and previously played a significant role in organising papal visits. 

The Vatican’s message acknowledged that both Ramadan and Lent emphasise self-discipline and spiritual reflection. Muslims fast during Ramadan to cultivate self-control and focus on their connection to God, while Lent encourages Christians to pursue purification through fasting, prayer, and charitable deeds. Despite differing practices, both traditions prioritise inner transformation. Koovakad’s statement stressed the shared values of human dignity, peace, and unity. He encouraged Christians and Muslims to reject violence and discrimination while promoting solidarity and respect. The Vatican expressed hope that the 2025 convergence of Ramadan and Lent would inspire both faiths to build bridges of understanding and harmony. 

English Traditionalist Religious Community to leave Scotland 

A Scottish bishop announced that traditionalist religious communities, residing in his diocese since 2022, will return to their original English diocese. However, one of these communities claims they are being forced out, leaving members ‘homeless.’ This situation reflects ongoing global tensions between dioceses and religious groups practicing older liturgical traditions. On 23 February, Bishop Andrew McKenzie of Dunkeld stated that after careful consideration and consultations, it was decided that the Marian Franciscan Sisters and Friars would return to the Diocese of Portsmouth, where they were originally established. The Diocese of Dunkeld will continue to offer Mass in the Extraordinary Form for those interested. 

The Marian Franciscans follow the teachings of St Maximilian Mary Kolbe and commit to vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Their strict prayer schedule runs from 1:30 am to 9:30 pm. The men's community was founded in 2015 in the Diocese of Portsmouth before expanding to Dunkeld in 2022 at the invitation of then-Bishop Stephen Robson, who supported traditionalist practices. Upon their arrival, the friars established Lawside Friary, while the sisters occupied St Joseph's Convent. The communities expanded significantly, growing from an initial seven friars and 20 sisters to 20 friars and 30 sisters. Bishop Robson resigned in December 2022 due to health reasons, and his successor, Fr Martin Chambers, passed away unexpectedly before his installation in April 2024. Bishop McKenzie took over in May 2024. Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth confirmed that while the Marian Franciscans previously had extensive facilities in his diocese, they were relocated to Dunkeld in 2022. Now, following their dismissal from Dunkeld, Egan pledged to support them as they seek new accommodations. The Marian Franciscans have a significant media presence through Radio Immaculata, Co-Redemptrix magazine, and the Mary House Press, and they organise a Mariological symposium annually. 

This situation has drawn comparisons to the Transalpine Redemptorists, a traditionalist group expelled from New Zealand’s Christchurch diocese in 2024 after a Vatican investigation. The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP) also announced in September 2024 that it would undergo an apostolic visitation, which has already started in the United States. This traditionalist priestly community comprises nearly 600 members with an average age of 39. Since its establishment in 1988, its membership has grown consistently. However, there are no signs that the Marian Franciscans' dismissal followed any Vatican probe. Despite the uncertainty, Marian Franciscan priest Fr Philomeno James Mary expressed sadness but emphasised faith in divine providence, encouraging the faithful to trust in God's plan.