Friday, November 13, 2009

"Holy Love Ministries" condemned as not supernatural by Bishop of Cleveland

Thanks to Richard Chonak at Catholic Light, my attention was turned to a decree which just appeared on the Diocese of Cleveland website on "Holy Love Ministries".  I wrote just a couple weeks ago on "Holy Love" in my post on unapproved private revelations.  In less than 5 minutes, I had found a caution on the diocesan website. 

A condemnation has just been released.   First, the bishop's letter (forgive any typos - I had to manually add all of this):

1150/2009
November 11, 2009

A group known by the name of "Holy Love Ministries" and also the "Missionary Servants of Holy Love" has been active in the Cleveland area for several years.  Earlier names associated with this group have been the "Our Lady Protectress of the Faith Movement", "Project Mercy" and "Mary's House of Prayer." They continue to seek funds to develop their center and support their effort.

At the request of the Holy See, I have been asked to examine and make a judgment on the activities of Holy Love Ministries. After consultation with a respected theological expert, and after attempts at dialogue with the leadership of Holy Love Ministries proved unsuccesseful, for the good of the Christian faithful, I issue the accompanying decree. 

I ask pastors, administrators, and parish life coordinators to make the decree known in a manner appropriate for your parishes.

Sincerely yours in Christ

+Richard Lennon
Bishop of Cleveland




1148/2009
11 November 2009
DECREE

In the Name of God

To the Laity and the Clergy of the Diocese of Cleveland

In light of my responsibility for the promotion and protection of ecclesial life within the Diocese of Cleveland (cc. 387, 392, 223, §2); and

Having been directed by the Holy See to act definitively in the matter of the alleged apparitions to Maureen Sweeney Kyle; and

Having reviewed the theological content of the alleged apparitions and locutions to Maureen Sweeney Kyle and having consulted an expert in this matter (c. 747, §2);

I, Richard G. Lennon, Bishop of Cleveland, hereby

  • Declared that the alleged apparitions and locutions to Maureen Sweeney Kyle are not supernatural in origin.
  • Forbid members of the clergy of any ecclesiastical jurisdiction to celebrate the sacraments on the site of Holy Love Ministries. (cc. 835, §1; 838, §4).
  • Admonish the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland to cease gathering for any religious, liturgical, spiritual, or devotional purpose on the site of Holy Love Ministries. (cc. 212, §§1, 3; 214).
  • Declare that the Confraternity of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary is not an approved association of the Christian faithful in the Diocese of Cleveland and may not legitimately use the name "Catholic" or represent itself as a Catholic group (c. 216).
This decree takes effect immediately.

Given at the Chancery of the Diocese of Cleveland on this 11th day of November in the year of Our Lord 2009

+Richard G. Lennon
Bishop of Cleveland


I think we are going to see a string of these around the world, where questionable apparitions have been without resolution for a significant period of years.   What I find interesting is that the bishop acknowledges having been asked by the Holy See to wrap it up, so to speak.  How many other bishops are getting the same kind of request on specific cases?


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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!