From a Dominican Father. Rome
Reverend Father Guérard des Lauriers, professor of philosophy at the Catholic University of Latran, Rome, has signed the two following declarations. Of which the written photostat is reproduced on this page of Vers Demain. The letters of Father Des Lauriers are in French language.
On February 12th (Wednesday) I met Msgr. Paul Philippe, Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Msgr. P. Philippe twice declared to me before another withness:
"The Holy Office (ex) has never taken in charge the case of San Damiano. The Holy Office carried no condemnation against San Damiano. One (Ordinary of Piacenza) would do well to keep abreast of the "positive" and not take such severe measures. But we can not go against the Bishops.
"The Holy Office will not take charge of San Damiano, unless the Ordinary of Piacenza would not succeed in cleaning up the situation, for example if the number of pilgrims would keep increasing".
J.M.L.G. Des Lauriers
Rome, 12th April, 1969
On Wednesday, April 30th, 1969, feast day of St. Catherine of Sienna, Cardinal Seaper, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, received in an audience six priests including the signer of these lines. He stated:
"The Church is always slow, before deciding the authenticity of an apparition. At the beginning, she lets the local Bishop do. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith did not take in hand the San Damiano affair. There is no condemnation stated against San Damiano.
"The Cardinal also declared he had not given any authorization regarding the rite of giving Communion in the hand".
J.M.L.G. Des Lauriers,
O.P.. Rome, 20, 5, 69
From a Franciscan Father, Assisi, Italy
The letter below is written by Father Francesco Cucchi, a Franciscan of the Missionary College of Theology, Assisi, Italy. We also have the photostat copy. Whoever would be tempted to blame Vers Demain for reproducing those documents, will be answered that we received these letters in photostat and that a photostat is already a publication. If somebody made a mistake, that was the one who made the photostat. Now, it is too late to stop the news. And may be, we should thank God for having met somebody who was ready to publish the truth.
Franciscanum Collegio Missionario Theologico
dei Frati Minori Conventuali
Assisi, 13th, November, 1968
Mr. Pariuetti,
Thank you for your letter and all the news. Always forward, courage and love for the service of the Great Queen, the Mother of God, who calls us to a life of sanctity admist the struggles and tribulations.
It is true, there are too few Italian priests at San Damiano. Many are afraid of the opposition of the Bishop of Piacenza. But now, we hope that many of them will wake up and come to give homage to the Blessed Virgin.
It is also true, we know it well, that the priests and Bishops are so afraid to admit "supernatural things". They fight against the people composed of good faithful; nevertheless we listen to the voice of God and of His Divine Mother without disobeying our duties as good Christians. Do also say that, in this case, the order of the Bishop of Piacenza has no validity, since he is against the truth of so many supernatural signs and so many graces, favors and miracles performed by the Mother of God. It is much wiser to obey to God, when the proofs are so obvious: seing that this Bishop would never recognize the facts, nor take into consideration the proofs and miracles of the graces that so many people received and attested.
And say it loud and clear to the Redemptorist Sisters, that one Bishop is not the Church. One Bishop can give his directives and his orders only to his subordinates in his diocese. These orders and dispositions do not hold any validity for the faithful of other cities and other nations. A citizen may go and do all that he believes is good and serious, especially to pray and to invoke the Mother of God, in any part of the world, therefore at Piacenza and in any city of the world. On that account, do not have any fear, for I myself go to San Damiano also, in the utmost confidence, with the permission of my Superior. I am not obliged to follow the orders of the Bishop of Piacenza.
I even say more: the Holy Father believes with all his heart in the supernatural apparitions at San Damiano. The Madonna sent Pope Paul VI "a personal message" through the medium of Mamma Rosa. And I am myself very well aware of the fact, since it is precisely a priest of Assisi who brought the message to the Vatican.
And then, in private, the Pope has sent his thanks to San Damiano by a Cardinal. And in these last months, the Holy Father has sent his nephew, Mr. Montini (the son of his brother). Therefore, we may be in peace, because the Madonna has spoken to the Holy Father, and the Holy Father knows all and approves what is happening at San Damiano.
Much more, the parish church of San Damiano was closed by order from the Bishop, and during this time the Holy Father secretly asked the Bishop of Piacenza to have the church opened again every day, Friday included. Tell this aloud, either to the nuns, or to the people, or to the bishops and priests and to everybody. The nuns make a great mistake when they say the devotees to San Damiano are against the Church and in error and in sin. Do say the Holy Father knows everything, approves and acknowledges the apparitions and messages of San Damiano.
And yourself, Mr. Pariuetti, have no fear whatsoever. Always forward, courage, faith and love for the Madonna, The Holy Rosary in the families, Communion and confession.
It is true that divine apparitions were never more sorely needed than today.
Francesco Cucchi
Seminary of Assisi