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January 25, 2004
Padre Pio
I'd heard about this a few weeks ago, but this is really the first news article I've seen on it. Not that it really makes anything clear.
Allentown Bishop orders Padre Pio Centre to stop having Mass
No publicly stated reasons..
Posted by Amy Welborn | Permalink
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» Controversy for St. Pio? from Catholic Light
Padre Pio was the subject of some suspicion and controversy during his lifetime, and I guess it's not too surprising that there's still some occasional fuss related to him. In 1970, Vera Calandra and her family founded the Padre Pio... [Read More]
Tracked on Jan 25, 2004 6:57:12 PM
Comments
My guess is that they want people to attend their regular parishes at least for Sunday Mass. Otherwise donations go elsewhere and the diocese suffers financially. Just a guess.
Posted by: Caroline at Jan 25, 2004 4:47:14 PM
A friend of my daughter forwarded a similar report about the Padre Pio Shrine in Barto which my husband and I have visited a few times. See the article here: http://www.spiritdaily.org/Quickhive%20articles/piocentre.htm
I e-mailed the Padre Pio Centre the following:
Have read about your troubles with Bishop Cullen. Perhaps the following
association would be willing to help. It's the St. Joseph Foundation and
they have helped many Catholics with Canon Law questions. Visit them at
http://www.st-joseph-foundation.org/. We have visited the Padre Pio Shrine
in Barto several times and hope that all will be well again very soon.
Please let us know what we can do to help.
It seems very strange to me that all this happened after Padre Pio was canonized. The Shrine began at Holy Saviour Parish in Norristown, PA (my parish) and after Mrs. Calandra was able to purchase land for the new Shrine, it was built and opened as Padre Pio's cause for canonization progressed in order to spread devotion to him and have facilities for many more visitors. It is very frustrating not to know the reason for this action by Bishop Cullen. Mrs. Calandra has done so much in gratitude for the miracle of her daughter's cure. I hope money is not the reason for this action on the Bishop's part.Those interested in contacting the Padre Pio Centre can e-mail at info@padrepio.org.
Posted by: ann at Jan 25, 2004 6:25:59 PM
Ann,
I have sent Amy via snail mail the Center's official response dated 12/31/03. The Calandra's note that Padre Pio himself was under interdict for years.
Masses and confessions had been held every Tuesday and Wednesday, and the First Saturday.
Posted by: cs at Jan 25, 2004 7:01:28 PM
Ann,
Thank you for your support! All the Center's friends will need to help out in this time.
I have sent Amy via snail mail the Center's official response dated 12/31/03. The Calandra's note that Padre Pio himself was under interdict for years.
Masses and confessions had been held every Tuesday and Wednesday, and the First Saturday.
Posted by: cs at Jan 25, 2004 7:01:55 PM
Thank you, cs. I hope and pray this matter is happily resolved very soon!
Posted by: ann at Jan 25, 2004 9:18:28 PM
Padre Pio
It seems that what the founders of the Padre Pio shrine did was to establish a secular shrine outside of the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church. They never intend it to be a Catholic Shrine in the first place because they didn’t incorporate it as such. They never complied with Church law. This is analogous to building a house and then going to the local building inspector and tell him to accept it. What the inspector will tell you is not fit to print here.
If a Catholic author desire to have a book approved by the Church, then the author does not publish it first, put it on the shelves in book stores, and then go the bishop and tell him to now approve it because it turned out to be a best seller. The author must comply with Church law and first submit a draft manuscript to the proper authorities.
The Church, like your town, has procedures that must be followed for the common good. The Church is here to help and not to hinder inspiration, and this is precisely what it does in such cases. Shrines that conduct Catholic sacraments should be built by Catholic organizations according to Church law. Proposals have to be submitted to the proper Church authorities and everything is done in writing so there are no problems afterwards.
If the founders of the shrine followed the building codes of the town and corporation laws of the state, then why couldn’t they follow the procedures of the dioceses? It seems to me to be very strange indeed!
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 25, 2004 9:44:09 PM
But Mr. Toye, the Padre Pio Center has been having Masses for 12 years... why the delay?
Posted by: Colleen at Jan 25, 2004 10:43:08 PM
This shrine was established under the auspices of, and with the blessing of former Allentown bishop Welsh, as the letter I have forwarded to Amy will attest. From 1992 to 1999, the sacraments were administered in a converted barn. In 1999, the new center opened up. The masses were at first offered by the pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament Church, about one mile away (Built 1741, school started 1743). He continued after being transferred to say Mass at the center.
Posted by: cs at Jan 25, 2004 10:53:11 PM
Dear Colleen,
>>But Mr. Toye, the Padre Pio Center has been having Masses for 12 years... why the delay?<<
In such cases like this, there is always some "delay," and some have been as long as 20 years. However, that is no excuse for not complying with Church law in the beginning or at the time requested. The excuse given by the founders of the shrine seems to be pretty weak in view of today’s property refinancing market.
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 26, 2004 10:43:26 AM
CS
>>This shrine was established under the auspices of, and with the blessing of former Allentown bishop Welsh, as the letter I have forwarded to Amy will attest. From 1992 to 1999, the sacraments were administered in a converted barn.
Did Bishop Welsh establish a Nation shrine in a barn? I think not. Permission for Masses is one thing, but establishing shrines is something else, especially a National one. They don’t grow out of barns?
>> In 1999, the new center opened up. The masses were at first offered by the pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament Church, about one mile away (Built 1741, school started 1743). He continued after being transferred to say Mass at the center.<<
Therefore, the secular shrine is three years old and the bishop discontinued the execution of Catholic sacraments because it does not conform to Church law and the founders of the shrine, apparently, are not willing to change its status. Then, the solution to this problem rests with the founders of the shrine and not with the bishop.
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 26, 2004 12:02:54 PM
Charlie,
In nearby Doylestown, PA is the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, founded IN A BARN after WWII. Today it is a huge edifice over hundreds of acres, and has been visted by Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, Presidents Johnson & Reagan, and Lech Walesa. Some of these even vistited the orginal barn which on the property.
The Padre Pio Center was founded as an adjuct of his monestary in Italy. As one poster noted, it was originally in Norristown, then moved to Barto in 1992, under the auspices of, and with the blessing of former Bishop Thomas Welsh.
I realize that many are confused about this issue, so please be patient.
BTW, there have been many healings and cures reported there, including a long time friend of mine who was cured of pancreatic cancer.
Posted by: cs at Jan 26, 2004 12:19:49 PM
Regarding the building code analogy: There's a process to modify the building to comply, or a process to apply for a variance. This called "curing" the violation.
There's a ecclesiastical definition as well for
"cure" it refers to the care of souls.
Has the bishop suggested a remedy that's been refused to restore the status of the Shrine?
Posted by: Patrick Sweeney at Jan 26, 2004 2:00:46 PM
Patrick,
According to the letter dated 12/31/03 from the Centre:
The Centre was seeking "juridic standing" to "advance the purposes of the apostolate". (One of those aims is a monastery.) During the course of negotiations, it became clear that Bishop Cullen "takes issue with the existence of the Centre".
Posted by: cs at Jan 26, 2004 2:21:25 PM
CS
The Order of St. Paul the Hermit was founded during the first half of the 13th century in Hungary. The founder of the Order was Eusebius, a Canon of Esztergom. The members of the Order were actually hermits who lived in the caves in Hungary. For their patron they chose St. Paul the Hermit, thereby acquiring the name of the Order of St. Paul the Hermit, in short "Pauline Fathers".
The monastic order spread throughout the countries of Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Austria and Bavaria. After a period of time the government ordered the closing of many monasteries. However, they persevered in Poland, where they furthered devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the main monastery in Czestochowa, where they still continue to reside.
In the 1950's the Pauline Order in Poland wished to spread their missionary work to other peoples of the world. It was decided to set out to the Western Hemisphere, the land of George Washington, namely America.
In the 1950's the Pauline Order in Poland wished to spread their missionary work to other peoples of the world. It was decided to set out to the Western Hemisphere, the land of George Washington, namely America.
During the year 1953-1955 Father Michael M. Zembrzuski, a Pauline Monk under the direction of Father Aloysius Wrzalika, the General of the Pauline Order, and with full knowledge and permission of John F. Cardinal O'Hara, Archbishop of Philadelphia founded a Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown. Father Stanislaus Nowak arrived shortly thereafter to become the First Prior of the Monastery from 1957 through 1963. in Doylestown. Father Stanislaus Nowak arrived shortly thereafter to become the First Prior of the Monastery from 1957 through 1963.
LOWER CHURCH - Originally the cafeteria, this area below the Main Church has been converted to replicate Our Lady's Chapel from the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa Poland. If you have ever seen the original Chapel, this replica of the beautiful black and silver altar and the image of the Black Madonna, will transport you back to Jasna Gora.
As you can see, Our Lady of Czestochowa was founded by a 700 year old Catholic religious order from Europe. If some Franciscan monks came from Italy to establish a nation Padre Pio shrine in the US, I am sure that they would also adher to Church law. Many Catholic Churches on the East cost were also built that way, but not the National Padre Pio shrine. It was established as a secular facility and not a Catholic one. There is a substational difference.
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 26, 2004 3:38:11 PM
CS
The Order of St. Paul the Hermit was founded during the first half of the 13th century in Hungary. The founder of the Order was Eusebius, a Canon of Esztergom. The members of the Order were actually hermits who lived in the caves in Hungary. For their patron they chose St. Paul the Hermit, thereby acquiring the name of the Order of St. Paul the Hermit, in short "Pauline Fathers".
The monastic order spread throughout the countries of Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Austria and Bavaria. After a period of time the government ordered the closing of many monasteries. However, they persevered in Poland, where they furthered devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the main monastery in Czestochowa, where they still continue to reside.
In the 1950's the Pauline Order in Poland wished to spread their missionary work to other peoples of the world. It was decided to set out to the Western Hemisphere, the land of George Washington, namely America.
In the 1950's the Pauline Order in Poland wished to spread their missionary work to other peoples of the world. It was decided to set out to the Western Hemisphere, the land of George Washington, namely America.
During the year 1953-1955 Father Michael M. Zembrzuski, a Pauline Monk under the direction of Father Aloysius Wrzalika, the General of the Pauline Order, and with full knowledge and permission of John F. Cardinal O'Hara, Archbishop of Philadelphia founded a Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown. Father Stanislaus Nowak arrived shortly thereafter to become the First Prior of the Monastery from 1957 through 1963. in Doylestown. Father Stanislaus Nowak arrived shortly thereafter to become the First Prior of the Monastery from 1957 through 1963.
LOWER CHURCH - Originally the cafeteria, this area below the Main Church has been converted to replicate Our Lady's Chapel from the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa Poland. If you have ever seen the original Chapel, this replica of the beautiful black and silver altar and the image of the Black Madonna, will transport you back to Jasna Gora.
As you can see, Our Lady of Czestochowa was founded by a 700 year old Catholic religious order from Europe. If some Franciscan monks came from Italy to establish a nation Padre Pio shrine in the US, I am sure that they would also adher to Church law. Many Catholic Churches on the East cost were also built that way, but not the National Padre Pio shrine. It was established as a secular facility and not a Catholic one. There is a substational difference.
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 26, 2004 3:38:54 PM
CS
>>The Padre Pio Center was founded as an adjuct of his monestary in Italy.<<
But not in compliance with Church law, or else they would have the documents to prove it.
>>BTW, there have been many healings and cures reported there, including a long time friend of mine who was cured of pancreatic cancer.<<
I have friends who were healed at Medjugorje, but it too is not an approved shrine. this is not a question of miracles, but Church law.
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 26, 2004 4:19:53 PM
Charlie,
I am familiar with not only both facilities, but the distinction you have made. I wish I could scan this letter somehow. The facts are that the facility was founded under the auspices of San Giovanno Rotundo, and had the blessing of Bishop Welsh of Allentown. His priests offered the sacraments there for years. It was not operated as a church, and since Mass was not offered there on Sunday, was not in competition with any.
Posted by: cs at Jan 26, 2004 4:27:14 PM
Those interested can contact Bishop Cullen here: http://www.allentowndiocese.org/contact.html
Posted by: ann at Jan 26, 2004 7:23:27 PM
CS
>>I am familiar with not only both facilities, but the distinction you have made. <<
Then you know that the Pio shrine is a secular organization and not affiliated with the Catholic Church.
>>I wish I could scan this letter somehow. The facts are that the facility was founded under the auspices of San Giovanno Rotundo, <<
Unfortunately, San Giovanno does not speech for the Fancisco Order, only its General does and cannot extend Franciscan operations by its own authority.
All foreign Catholic religious orders that establish operations in this country are given juridiction over such faciities according to Church procedures. In other words, the order has to negotiate with the Church in the USA in compliance with Church law and is given a charter deliniating the terms and condtions of service. Are you trying to implying that this was done for the Padre Pio shrine?
>>. and had the blessing of Bishop Welsh of Allentown. His priests offered the sacraments there for years. It was not operated as a church, and since Mass was not offered there on Sunday, was not in competition with any.<<
Saying Mass or offering sacraments at secular facilities does not make the facilities Catholic in nature. It takes much more than a bishop’s blessing to establish a Catholic organization or shrine. Church law does that and the results are properly documented.
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 26, 2004 8:16:39 PM
A few notes about some of the points people have mentioned above:
(1) Padre Pio wasn't under interdict: that would have forbidden him to receive the Eucharist. Rather, he was forbidden to celebrate Mass in public.
(2) The "Padre Pio Centre" would be more accurately described as a "lay" organization, not a secular one; and lay people do have the right to form associations for pious purposes (canon 215).
(3) If the bishop wants to forbid Mass to be said at the Padre Pio Centre's chapel, he's got the authority to forbid it.
(4) On the other hand, bishops do authorize Masses all the time at places not owned or controlled by the Church: e.g., hospitals, college chapels, and vacation sites. If he wants to, there's no obstacle.
(5) As Ann points out, it's too bad that this conflict has come to a head after St. Pio's canonization. However, the dispute is not new at all; I've been hearing about strained relations between the diocese and the Centre for years.
This trouble could have been averted if the preceding bishop of Allentown had arranged with the Calandras to settle the canonical status of the Padre Pio Centre before granting them permission to build anything.
St. Clare, pray for them!
Posted by: RC at Jan 27, 2004 12:30:03 AM
RC
>>(2) The "Padre Pio Centre" would be more accurately described as a "lay" organization, not a secular one; and lay people do have the right to form associations for pious purposes (canon 215). <<
Maybe, Canon 216 is more appropriate since it distinguishes between those organizations that are approved by the Church and those that are not. The term "secular" is used to make this distinction.
>>This trouble could have been averted if the preceding bishop of Allentown had arranged with the Calandras to settle the canonical status of the Padre Pio Centre before granting them permission to build anything.<<
However, as you pointed out in Canon 215, the "faithful are at liberty to freely found and to govern associations...". A bishop cannot stop people from building shrines. This is not a unique case. Dioceses do make canon lawyers available for such undertakings. It is up to those who seek "canonical status" to comply with Church law by seeking the proper help. Everything should be done through Church channels with the proper paperwork. Did the Calandras submit a proposal to the appropriate diocese’s Canon lawyer? If so, what was the result?
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 27, 2004 10:43:31 AM
Charlie Toye,
What exactly is your purpose in challenging every point made? What are you trying to prove?
Posted by: cs at Jan 27, 2004 10:49:18 AM
CS
What I have said that is not true?
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 27, 2004 2:22:55 PM
Charlie Toye,
You stated in your initial post that "They never intend it to be a Catholic Shrine in the first place because they didn’t incorporate it as such. They never complied with Church law."
You stated " Permission for Masses is one thing, but establishing shrines is something else, especially a National one. They don’t grow out of barns?"
You have no proof to the former, and as to the latter, I have been in the orginal barn at the American Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA.
Again I ask, what is it you are trying to prove?
Posted by: cs at Jan 27, 2004 3:18:26 PM
CS
>>You have no proof to the former.. <<
You are implying that the present bishop is lying to us and the shrine is approved as a Catholic shirne accoding to Church law?
>>..and as to the latter<<
I never denied the existance of the barn or that the Pauline Fathers, a legitimate Catholic Order, did not complied with Church law. Of course they did. Religious oderes are usually charterd to build shrines, churches, schools, hopitals, etc.
But that is a different situation then the one that exists with the National Padre Pio shrine we are discussing. There are several cases similar to this one where Churches and shrines were being built by organizations before Church approval was given and then they tried to get them approved, but failed because the founders would not comply with Church law. If you know of one that suceeded, please inform me.
According to a recent report:
“The bishop of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, has withdrawn permission for the Padre Pio Centre in Barto, Pennsylvania, to celebrate Mass and other sacraments at the center, which the bishop says "is not a shrine and has never been recognized as such by the Catholic Church."
“In a letter to officials at the center, Bishop Cullen ‘explained that central to this decision is the Centre's failure to conform to canonical mandates,’ according to a release issued by the diocesan press office. Effective this month, the bishop has directed that enrollment in the Padre Pio Association of Poor Souls at the center also be discontinued.”
You seem to be implying that the above statements are false.
Posted by: Charlie Toye at Jan 27, 2004 6:26:44 PM
