Can I disobey a bishop's decree regarding an apparition?

[JaniceKHarper]

Bishop Richard G. Lennon of Cleveland, Ohio, has this week issued a decree in which he “admonish[es] the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland to cease gathering for any religious, liturgical, spiritual, or devotional purpose on the site of Holy Love Ministries” and declaring that “the alleged apparitions and locutions to Maureen Sweeney Kyle are not supernatural.” The bishop has essentially issued a decree of constat de non supernaturalitate.

Only the pope is infallible in matters of faith and morals, so is it a sin for a faithful Catholic to disobey the bishop’s decree and visit the site or recite the Rosary of the Unborn for an end to abortion and other prayers that were given by the visionary? Nowhere in the decree does it mention pain of sin or excommunication and nowhere does it mention condemnation of the site.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Not only is the local bishop the one who has ordinary authority over the discernment of apparitions in his jurisdiction, but in this case both the decree and the accompanying letter make clear that Bishop Lennon undertook his investigation “at the request of the Holy See.” In other words, he is acting both on his own authority and at the request of the Pope himself. To ignore that clear direction and continue to involve oneself in an apparition that has been condemned is gravely problematic for a Catholic.

I should also warn you that Catholics should be wary of a quasi-Protestant “me, the Pope, and Jesus” mentality that dismisses and ignores the legitimate authority of those in authority over one – such as a pastor or bishop – simply because they may not be “personally infallible.” Bishops in particular are due special reverence for their authority by their flocks. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

“The bishops, as vicars and legates of Christ, govern the particular churches assigned to them by their counsels, exhortations, and example, but over and above that also by the authority and sacred power” which indeed they ought to exercise so as to edify, in the spirit of service which is that of their Master.

“The power which they exercise personally in the name of Christ, is proper, ordinary, and immediate, although its exercise is ultimately controlled by the supreme authority of the Church.” But the bishops should not be thought of as vicars of the pope. His ordinary and immediate authority over the whole Church does not annul, but on the contrary confirms and defends that of the bishops. Their authority must be exercised in communion with the whole Church under the guidance of the pope (CCC 894-895).