You might find interesting this: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/imprimaturs-and-private-revelations and this: https://www.catholic.com/qa/may-catholics-read-the-writings-of-vassula-ryden
Since the notification, Vassula has since had meetings with the CDF & Pope Benedict for clarification. This website explains it from a Theologian: On this day of May 13, 2017 I wish to address the Catholic Church’s present-day position on the prophetic revelations of God to Vassula Rydén contained in the publication, “True Life in God”. This present-day position is summarized in the following five points: The TLIG prophetic revelations enjoy the Magisterium’s Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat – official ecclesiastic seals of approval. The Church’s Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat are an exercise of the Magisterium. The Church requires of the Christian faithful “adherence with religious assent”1 to the Church’s Magisterium, which is particularly exercised by those bishops teaching in communion with the Pope. The teachings of those bishops in communion with the Pope and exercising the Magisterium2 have granted to the TLIG prophetic revelations said seals of approval (11/28/2005 Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur) that remain in full force this day. By virtue of the conferral of the Magisterium’s Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat upon the TLIG prophetic revelations, Christians are prohibited from setting themselves up as their judge and from publicly condemning them.3 On the contrary, inasmuch as all Christians are to “concur with their bishop’s judgment concerning faith and morals” and “adhere to this” judgment and to the Magisterium “with a religious assent of the mind”,4 the Magisterium’s Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat upon the TLIG prophetic revelations elicit from the Christian faithful said religious assent. https://ww3.tlig.org/en/the-message...the-magisteriums-imprimatur-and-nihil-obstat/
Did you read the two articles from Catholic Answers? Can you point me to anything from the Vatican with a more recent date than this: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/...con_cfaith_doc_20070125_vassula-ryden_en.html Note that it says in point No. 2 that Mrs Ryden told the CDF that problematic points in her writings and on the nature of her messages are presented not as divine revelation but as her own meditations. What Mrs Ryden or some theologian said on the TLIG website doesn't overrule the official notification from the Vatican to the Presidents of Episcopal conferences. Have the Bishops who gave a Nihil Obstat or Imprimatur identified and clarified the problematic parts of Mrs. Ryden's writings? Can you name those Bishops? Did they say they were acting on behalf of any Bishop's conference? Do you know which of Mrs. Ryden's messages the CDF, speaking for the Church, found problematic? If you do, please let us know what they are.
What is the Church’s problem with this mystic? by Gunther Simmermacher · Published October 17, 2022 · Updated October 17, 2022 Photo: Kurman Communications/Flickr Question: In the “Your Questions Answered” column on private revelations (May 2022), you referred to Vassula Rydén’s visions being rejected by the Vatican in 1995. On what grounds were they rejected? Answer: Vassula Rydén is a rather controversial Egyptian-born Greek Orthodox mystic who is particular popular in some Catholic circles, also in South Africa, which she has visited. She claims to have received messages from Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The two main themes of these messages, and the books she has written about them, are repentance and Church unity. In 1995, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (the later Pope Benedict XVI) determined that Rydén’s claimed revelations should not be considered supernatural. Bishops were asked to prevent the spread of Rydén’s propositions in their dioceses. This was confirmed in 2007 by the CDF, which said it was “inappropriate for Catholics to take part in prayer groups” organised by Rydén. The Greek Orthodox Church has also instructed its faithful to disassociate from Rydén, with the Orthodox Church of Cyprus even judging her a heretic. Her popularity persisted regardless. What is the Catholic Church’s problem with her? The CDF in 1995 noted several doctrinal errors, and regarded the nature in which the alleged revelations occurred as “suspect”. It concluded that “the alleged heavenly messages are merely the result of private meditations”. One of the problems the CDF raised concerned the misrepresentations of the Church’s teachings of the Holy Trinity. Rydén’s subsequent clarifications did not persuade the CDF. Other Catholic investigations have warned that Rydén’s writings propose the consolidation of all Christian churches under a non-hierarchical system, which violates the Church’s principle of apostolic succession and papal authority. In 1996, Cardinal Ratzinger said in a statement that “the faithful must not take the messages of Vassula Rydén as divine revelations, but only as her personal meditations”, explaining that in those meditations, “next to the positive aspects, there are negative elements in the light of Catholic doctrine”. (Günther Simmermacher) Asked and answered in the August 2022 issue of The Southern Cross magazine
Thank you! Plus, I did hear that Vassula used automatic writing, although I am not sure to what extent.
All the Bishops names were in the previous link: On November 28, 2005 His Excellency Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J., D.D., granted the Nihil Obstat to the TLIG writings. On November 28, 2005 His Excellency Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, STL, DD, granted the Imprimatur to the TLIG revelations. Moreover on November 24, 2005 Bishop Felix Toppo penned the following letter that accompanied the Magisterial Nihil Obstat underscoring the supernatural nature of the TLIG revelations: “I have read all the TRUE LIFE IN GOD books and meditated on their contents. I truly believe that the books contain the Divine Dialogue of the Holy Trinity, Our Lady and the Angels with humankind through Vassula Rydén. I have not found anything objectionable and anything contrary to the Church’s authentic authority on faith and morals. Reading these books and meditating on the contents are spiritually beneficial to all. I recommend these books to every Christian.” On September 30, 2004 Archbishop of Lipa Ramon C. Arguelles, STL, DD, who granted to the TLIG prophetic revelations the Magisterium’s Imprimatur, wrote the following letter further attesting to the supernatural nature of the TLIG prophetic revelations10: “Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger showed such Christ-like open-mindedness when he spearheaded the review of Mrs. Vassula Ryden’s case. Through Fr. Prospero Grech, Consultant of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the good Cardinal asked Vassula to respond to five questions (see letter dated April 4th, 2002) to clarify some difficulties suggested in the Notification of 1995, regarding the writings of True Life in God, and about her activities related thereto. The responses will immensely help some doubting Thomases, who are entitled nevertheless to peace of mind… Cardinal Ratzinger asked P. Joseph Augustine Di Noia, O.P., Undersecretary of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, to provide Mrs. Ryden with a copy of that same letter to enable her to inform everyone about the exchange of clarification letters... These seals are backed by Canon law, which no prelate or layperson may alter or supersede.
Thank you for this information. All the quotes pre-date the letter from the CDF to Bishops Conferences which no prelate or layperson may supercede. Here's a link to the CDF circular letter to the Bishops' Conferences: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/...con_cfaith_doc_20070125_vassula-ryden_en.html And here's a link to the notification of 6 December 1995 which, according to the circular letter of 25 January 2007, "remains valid as a doctrinal judgment of the writings examined": https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/...ents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19951006_ryden_en.html
Therefore, the messages are not officially condemned: “Imprimatur” is Latin for “let it be printed.” This indicates the approval of a religious publication by a bishop. According to canon law, the bishops have the duty and the right “to demand that writings to be published by the Christian faithful which touch upon faith or morals be submitted to their judgment and have the duty and right to condemn writings which harm correct faith or good morals” (Canon 823). As a result, books that deal with faith and morals need to receive the Imprimatur. Authors can seek this approval either from the bishop where they reside, or from the bishop where the publisher resides. “Nihil obstat” is Latin for “nothing stands in the way.” This is the stamp of approval given by an official censor to a publication having to do with faith and morals. If a bishop himself doesn’t review a manuscript, then he will delegate a censor to do so. The “nihil obstat” is the censor’s judgment that nothing in the work stands in the way of its being published.
I remember reading that years ago...that is not of God..it is channeling. That is why I stay clear of her. I know the history and it gives me such bad vibes
EWTN - Catholic Q&A: Answering two questions regarding the Church's position on Vassula Ryden (March and October 2004), EWTN expert Colin B. Donovan answered: "Despite efforts and claims by her supporters and promoters that these judgements [1995 Notification and 1996 Press Release] are under review, or no longer apply, the Holy See has not changed its position on her writings, nor its instructions to bishops regarding her conferences and activities, which must NOT be hosted or promoted by Catholic entities or officials." He also pointed out that "The CDF issued the Notifications publicly (in L'Osservatore Romano and the Acta Apostolicae Sedis) and would have to just as publicly rescind them." (Read the whole answers at: http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/search.asp?source=/vexperts/conference.htm indicating as keyword "Vassula" and year "2004"). __________
I have found many sources and Pope Benedict did not approve. I have read letters written by him, stating that the same rules apply as they did in the 1990's.
From the TLIG website: "The fruits of True Life in God Messages and the fruits of the apostolate are plentiful and for most people who study them properly it becomes clear that the Holy Spirit is their Author. This means that the people who calumniate the True Life in God Messages despite being aware of these signs of the Holy Spirit, risk blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. I have been given the True Life in God Messages to write them down not by my choice but by God's, and after I said 'yes' to Him I started to declare His Message far and wide to call everyone to repentance. I would not have been able to do this tremendous task on my own had it come from me, but all the signs show that the Messages come from God. (See www. tlig.org) God Himself takes care of His works and this is why His Message, in spite of treacherous obstacles laid in front of it, does nothing but spread and grow." https://ww3.tlig.org/en/spirituality/the-blasphemy-to-the-holy-spirit/ Was Cardinal Ratzinger blaspheming against the Holy Spirit in 1995 when, on behalf of the Magisterium of the Church (not an individual Bishop's personal Magisterium) he referred to Mrs. Ryden's messages as alleged "heavenly messages", pointing out their doctrinal errors? According to the 20o7 CDF circular, Mrs. Ryden clarified to the Vatican that the nature of her messages are presented not as divine revelations, but rather as her personal meditations. I haven't read any of Mrs. Ryden's messages. Nihil Obstat, Imprimatur or not, I'm not bound by the Church to read or believe any private revelations, let alone anyone's personal meditations. Calumny is certainly a sin but I fail to see how calumny against an individual's private meditations could possibly be equal to the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. You can choose to believe that non-Catholic Mrs. Ryden is the mouthpiece of the Holy Spirit but I'll give her a wide berth. Does she have any Magisterial approval for the paragraphs I quoted from her website? There's no date on that page of her website. Is she continuing to publish new alleged "heavenly messages"? If so, is she getting new Nihil Obstats and Imprimaturs for each new message? I wonder did she meet Pope Benedict when he was Pope or did the meeting take place when, as Cardinal Ratzinger, he was head of the CDF. Not that it matters, but do you know?
This website has the photo of Cardinal Ratzinger with Vassula (the uploaded file is too large to post); and also photos of Vicka (Medjugorje visionary) with Vassula; and Conchita (Garabandal visionary) with Vassula: https://pravdivyzivotvbohu.wordpres...zisa-krista-vassule-ryden-5-5-2011-najnovsie/
Fr Petar (from Medjugorje) joined the 2011 True Life in God pilgrimage in Rome and agreed to give this interview during it:
May God rest her soul. I see that Fr. Iannuzzi is the Theologian she quoted on her website. He sure gets around. I was wondering whether he's the go-to theologian for "seers". Then I saw your post and wondered whether Mrs, Ryden's funeral might be on youtube so I did a search. No video of the funeral but near the top of the search results was this video of Fr. Iannuzzi: He says in the video that Mrs. Rydan was and is a saint. He talks about her writings as though they were divinely inspired revelation, yet that's not what the CDF says. He says that she met with Cardinal Ratzinger in 2004 and that the Cardinal gave her permission to promote her writings in the Christian Church and that he wrote several Bishops telling them to welcome Vassula and her writings. That seems to be a bit of a stretch when compared with the circular letter to Bishops' Conferences of 2007. Then he talks about other private revelations. He says that the Garabandal seer was told that fire will fall from the sky and people will be on fire, they will throw themselves into the sea and the sea will be hotter than the air. (I only know about Garabandal what I have read on this forum and don't pay much attention to it but I don't recall anything about people being on fire and jumping into the sea). He says that's the chastisement and it will happen in our lifetime but it's not the entire chastisement and that the earth will be thrown off its axis in the process. He goes on to say that we have nothing to fear if we live according to Church teaching, keep the Commandments, consecrate ourselves, countries and families to the Two Hearts, especially those of us who are devoted to Luisa Piccaretta's writings and immerse themselves in her hours of the passion - these people obtain for themselves protection and indulgences. Asked about his relationship with Mrs. Ryden, he says that he had been attracted to the mystics since he was 13 years old and that his father gave him her writings in 1989 when he was a medical student. Then he says that in 1988 his father invited him to go to Medjugorje where he had three locutions from Our Lady telling him to stop what he was doing and enter the seminary so he entered the seminary a month later (a year before his Dad gave him Vassula's writings so I might have the timeline wrong but I'd have to watch the video again to check it and life's too short). In 1991, being valedictorian of his class, he was sent to Rome. In November 1993, his community had a meeting with Pope John Paul 11. They were invited to bring a family member or a friend. He had read in the writings that Jesus wanted the Pope to receive the messages. He hadn't met Vassula at that stage but contacted her spiritual advisor who was in Bangladesh. Vassula accepted the invitation and she and her then spiritual guide (Fr. Michael O'Carroll) arrived in Rome. They met the Pope the next day. A week later, the Pope fell, broke a bone in his shoulder, was hospitalised and, according to Fr. Iannuzzi, read Vassula's writings. He met her a few more times after that and I suppose he became her spiritual advisor. Cardinal Ratzinger was the head of the CDF under Pope John Paul so they must have been the earlier writings referred to in the CDF declaration of 1995. Early in the video he talks about another seer from Damascus who received approval from her Bishop. He says that the Syrian seer is Orthodox but someone in the comments section said that she is an Eastern Rite Catholic whose husband is Orthodox. He seemed to be using the Syrian seer as some kind of validation of a non-Catholic like Mrs. Ryden getting approval from a Catholic Bishop but the Syrian Catholic received approval from her local Bishop (if there were such approval) whereas Mrs. Ryden's local Bishop would have been Orthodox and the Orthodox weren't at all pleased with her. Fr. Iannuzzi may well be very holy and I don't doubt his sincerity but he does seem inclined towards stretching the facts to fit his opinion. Having watched the video, I'm even more wary of the seers he promotes. Maybe it's something lacking in me, but I'm not a big fan of people, especially priests, overly focused on looking for signs and seers. I think that he also mentioned Mrs. Ryden having met Pope Francis. No sign of any photo of that meeting and he barely mentioned it so maybe it was at one of those general audiences attended by very many people. Here's the wiki page about the Fr. O'Carroll he mentions as having been Mrs. Ryden's spiritual guide: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_O'Carroll''
Conchita has stated that when she took the picture she was unaware of who Vassula was and doesn’t support her.
Vicka also is the sweetest person in the world. I dislike it when people take a pic with someone or speak with them for a second and then use that as apparent approval of their authenticity or whatever.
Did Conchita say that fire will fall from the sky, that people will be on fire, throw themselves into the sea and the sea will be hotter than the air? That's what Fr. Iannuzzi said in the video in my previous post (8.59 point in the video)
There are many things I found years ago on Vassula and I won't search anymore...it is not approved, and the Catholic Church stands with its original ruling from the 90's. To even speak more of this is dangerous to me...it's like Maria divine mercy.. some confused Priests do not listen to the Church rules.. her own Greek orthodox Church didnt stand with her multi religion prayer groups. Please can we get rid of anything from this false seer??. This is demonic.[/QUOTE]
