Mgr Roman Danylak, refutation of EWTN (2002)

Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) is an American Catholic television network based in Birmingham, Alabama. The foundation that supports it is based in Irondale in the same state. Created by Mother Angelica (1923-2016), a contemplative nun, it broadcasts services, debates, reports, entertainment, etc. After Mother Angelica's retirement in 2001, the channel shifted towards more political stances.

Bill Bilton, born in the 1940s, made his career in various Catholic media and joined EWTN where he eventually hosted Questions and Answers, a segment answering listener questions. Bill Bilton had studied and spent some time with the Eudists, which made him capable of answering "religious" questions.

Question from a listener about Maria Valtorta

Question addressed to EWTN by D. Maanum, February 5, 2002:

Could you tell me what is the status of Maria Valtorta's private meditations? I heard they were once on the list of condemned books, but that this was lifted. Can a Catholic read them for inspiration, and what are the Church's rules regarding private meditations? Thank you.

Answer from Bill Bilton

Answer from Bill Bilton of EWTN on February 5, 2002:

The works of Maria Valtorta were condemned by the Church after a thorough and serious investigation which concluded that their content was harmful to Catholic faithful. On December 16, 1959, the Congregation of the Holy Office ordered that the four-volume work entitled The Poem of the Man-God be listed on the Index of Forbidden Books. Pope John XXIII approved this decree and ordered that the condemnation be published. The decree was then promulgated by the Holy Office on January 5, 1960. The next day, the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano published an article summarizing the investigations of the cardinals of the Holy Office, charged with protecting the faithful in matters of faith and morals. It is important to note that none of Maria Valtorta’s writings were approved by the Church.

On June 14, 1966, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith abolished the Index of Forbidden Books. Although the Index was abolished in 1966, the censure and prohibition of the books listed there still remain valid concerning moral law, which totally forbids diluting faith and morals.

Publishers who reprinted Maria Valtorta’s works have deceived Catholic faithful by printing and distributing these condemned works to devoted but uninformed Catholics. They acted thus despite efforts by the highest Church authorities warning the faithful that the moral authority represented by the condemnation in the Index of Forbidden Books remains in force today, and that the works of Maria Valtorta should be avoided by sincere and conscientious Catholics.

We sincerely urge you to consider that the works of Maria Valtorta were condemned by the Church as unreliable and spiritually dangerous accounts of the life of Jesus and His Mother. Catholics who wish to learn more about either should devote their time to reading the Gospels or a good biography of Christ.

Refutation by Bishop Roman Danylak

Header: Bishop Roman Danylak - Titular Bishop of Nyssa - Parish of Saints Sergius and Bacchus - 00184 Rome, Italy

To the Editorial Committee of EWTN

Birmingham, Alabama

To whom it may concern:

Your Questions and Answers segment recently drew my attention, particularly your response to a question from your listeners and readers regarding the writings of Maria Valtorta.

I do not know who Mr. Bill Bilton is nor what his connection is with EWTN, but I wish to inform you that his answer to your listener is a stain and a blemish on the good reputation and authority that EWTN rightfully enjoys among Catholic listeners, not to mention the lack of any investigation into the status of the question.

Reading his response, my blood boiled at this usurpation of authority that belongs solely to the magisterium of the Church.

It is true that the first edition of The Poem of the Man-God was placed on the Index of the Roman Catholic Church. This Index was removed by the authority of Pope Paul VI in 1965. As explained by the accompanying document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the former Index may retain moral authority but not canonical authority, as a guide for Catholic readers. The 1965/66 documents recognize that not all works on the Index were necessarily contrary to morals and faith.

The repetition of views of the former censors and detractors of Maria Valtorta reveals that those who continue to invoke this Index ignore Cardinal Ratzinger's response to the Bishop of Birmingham, Alabama, in 1993, as well as statements from the Italian Bishops’ Conference in recent years. These statements recognize that there is nothing contrary to faith or morals in The Poem of the Man-God and other writings of Maria Valtorta. They also recognize the current legislation of the Catholic Church, according to the Code of Canon Law, which no longer requires nihil obstat from ecclesiastical authorities for writings reporting alleged messages or revelations (CIC canons 823–4, 830, 832).

Continuing this slanderous witch hunt against Maria Valtorta and her writings reminds me of the theologians and canonists who burned Joan of Arc at the stake, those who excommunicated Saint Thomas Aquinas, or detractors of Blessed Padre Pio. It also reminds me of the great council or the Sanhedrin of the Jews who condemned Christ. Unfortunately, one of the weaknesses of Church authorities is that they do not formally retract their accusations when it is proven they were mistaken. This is a common weakness among many bishops, pastors, and those in positions of authority.

This is what happened to Maria Valtorta. The Osservatore Romano was informed of the falsity of the insinuations of authors slandering Maria Valtorta in their articles published in the Osservatore Romano in 1961. The Servite Fathers, who had presented the volume of The Poem of the Man-God to Pope Pius XII, informed them. Pope Pius XII had praised her writings, declaring: “Publish them as they are, without removing anything or adding anything. Those who will understand, will understand.” Osservatore ceased printing negative comments. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about others.

Fortunately, there is another recourse in the Catholic Church. The popes have raised Joan of Arc, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Blessed Padre Pio to the altars of the Church. The Eternal Father resurrected His Son from the dead and seated Him at His right hand. Hopefully, one day the Church will recognize the holiness of this chosen victim soul.

Although the first Italian edition of The Poem of the Man-God did not bear a nihil obstat, which led to its inclusion on the Index, several bishops later granted their nihil obstat and imprimatur to Maria Valtorta’s writings over the years. Her writings have been translated into French, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, Malayalam, and other languages. Several bishops, including myself, have granted imprimaturs to these translations so that Catholic readers would not hesitate to pick them up. They are truly a gift from Our Lord. I recommend Mr. Bilton to read what I have written on this subject. I have included several of my articles defending Maria Valtorta on my website at www.heartofjesus.ca. I particularly recommend the excellent website and in-depth research of a Catholic monk, who has gathered many articles and texts from various authors and included them on his site. See http://www.bardstown.com/~brchrys/index.html.

The current publisher and printer of Maria Valtorta’s works, Dr. Emilio Pisani, has compiled arguments from various authors, for and against Maria Valtorta’s writings, in a new book. A simple glance at Google results will show you more than 200 websites dedicated to Maria Valtorta’s writings, in various languages.

You owe your readers a retraction.

Respectfully yours in Christ and the Holy Mother,

Roman Danylak