Tucho Addresses another Apparition: Madonna della Scoglio
On May 17, Tucho changed the criteria for supernatural phenomena. His two main innovations were:
- more papal centralism: Previously, the bishops were normally responsible for supernatural phenomena, now it is the Vatican.
- a "pastoral" orientation: Instead of a yes or no judgement on the truth or falsity of a phenomenon, only an "experience of the Spirit" is recognised.
Tucho's new statement is favourable to the Italian Shrine with regard to the spiritual fruits derived from the alleged apparitions.
He responded to a request made on 3 June by Monsignor Francesco Oliva, Bishop of Locri-Gerace. Tucho writes that the pilgrims who visit the Sanctuary are a testimony of faith in a secularised world. He confirms the recognition 'Nihil obstat' proposed by Monsignor Oliva.
At the same time as Tucho's letter, Bishop Oliva published a decree supporting pilgrimages and prayer meetings at the Sanctuary.
On 11 May 1968, the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared to a farmer, Cosimo Fragomeni, 18. He said that the first apparition was preceded by a ray of light from a sandstone rock. The messages called for conversion and prayer, and for the town to become a centre of spirituality.
Cosimo cleared the area around the rock, built an embankment and dug a niche in which he placed a marble statue of Our Lady.
At first, it was a simple chapel, but the increasing number of visitors led to the construction of a large sanctuary. In 1987, Cosimo became a Franciscan tertiary.
Picture: © 2024 Fondazione Madonna dello Scoglio, #newsGiasgeomtl