The Vatican creates an Observatory of apparitions and mystical phenomena linked to the Virgin Mary to study the various cases whose authenticity has not yet been approved by the Church.
The Pontifical Marian Academy International (PAMI) has established this observatory with the aim of interpreting not only the Marian apparitions but also the lacrimations, interior locutions, stigmata and other mystical phenomena from the past and present that still await a response from the ecclesiastical authority.
In a press release, the President of PAMI, Fr. Stefano Cecchin, points out that “the objective we propose is to offer concrete support for the study, authentication and correct dissemination of these facts, always in tune with the ecclesiastical magisterium, the competent authorities and the current regulations of the Holy See on the matter”.
To achieve this, it ensures that the observatory ” will act in a systematic, strategic, multidisciplinary and qualified way and will also collaborate with experts, researchers and high-level personalities in the scientific field and ecclesiastical authorities”.
He also clarified that these phenomena often cause confusion and therefore “it is important to provide informative support, since the treatment of certain cases requires adequate preparation.”
The observatory is made up of a Steering Committee and a Central Scientific Committee and has officially started its activities with a first meeting on Saturday, April 15 at the PAMI headquarters in Rome, where it will work routinely.
“The purpose of the Observatory is to act efficiently, activate national and international commissions to evaluate and study apparitions and mystical phenomena reported in various areas of the world, promote updating and training activities on this type of event and its multiple spiritual and cultural meanings”, explained Fr. Cecchin.
In addition, it intends to promote high-level outreach and advisory activities, especially at the service of local Churches and bishops, “but also transdisciplinary research activities in concert with academic institutions, both secular and ecclesiastical, and the publication of the results of the investigations carried out”.