Dubious apparition website 'Countdown to the Kingdom' (CTTK) is obviously getting edgy about recent criticisms regarding its work. But in trying to defend itself, it has unwittingly revealed that although it …More
Dubious apparition website 'Countdown to the Kingdom' (CTTK) is obviously getting edgy about recent criticisms regarding its work. But in trying to defend itself, it has unwittingly revealed that although it claims to accept the declarations of legitimate ecclesiastical authority - it appears not to, and goes on arguing the case for the authenticity of the alleged seers, which if CTTK were obeying Church teaching, it simply wouldn't do. One example (out of quite a few):
Bishop Marco Salvi of Civita Castellana, the diocese that includes Trevignano Romano, said that he had established a commission of experts in theology, canon law and psychology in April 2023 to investigate the claims of one Gisella Cardia (a.k.a. Maria Giuseppe Scarpulla) who was claiming to have apparitions of Our Lady, after a visit to Medjugorje. And on March 6th 2024, the diocese published its results, decreeing a “constat de non supernaturalitate,” verdict: (the non-supernaturality has been proven).
Yet since then, instead of accepting the declarations of the Church as CTTK claims it does, they have been continuing to write favourably about Cardia. A piece has been written by a Mark Mallett, including a quote from a Peter Bannister, casting doubts on the commission that made the decision about Cardia. This suggests that CTTK is not obedient - but is just feigning obedience while undermining the bishop's authority. Mallett also writes "Countdown to the Kingdom exists to simply discern, with the Church, the serious and more credible messages allegedly from Heaven." But it is simply not the God-given role for anyone at CTTK to be doing this, and to suggest otherwise is just pure arrogance.
An important document was issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in November 1996 and placed in L’Osservatore Romano. It stated:
“Regarding the circulation of texts of alleged private revelations, the Congregation states: The interpretation given by some individuals to a decision approved by Paul VI on 14 October 1966 and promulgated on 15 November of that year, in virtue of which writings and messages resulting from alleged revelations could be freely circulated in the Church is absolutely groundless. This decision actually referred to the “Abolition of the Index of Forbidden Books” and determined that after the relevant censures were lifted, the moral obligation still remained of not circulating or reading those writings which endanger faith and morals. It should be recalled however, that with regard to the circulation of texts of alleged private revelations, Canon 823#1 of the current code remains in force: “the Pastors of the Church have the … right to demand that writings to be published by the Christian faithful which touch upon faith or morals be submitted to their judgement”. Alleged supernatural revelations and writings concerning them are submitted in first instance to the judgement of the diocesan Bishop, and in particular cases, to the judgement of the Episcopal Conference and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.”
The screenshots below were taken on 20th March (two weeks after the bishop's declaration on Cardia)
Readers can draw their own conclusions as to the obedience of CTTK.
Bishop Marco Salvi of Civita Castellana, the diocese that includes Trevignano Romano, said that he had established a commission of experts in theology, canon law and psychology in April 2023 to investigate the claims of one Gisella Cardia (a.k.a. Maria Giuseppe Scarpulla) who was claiming to have apparitions of Our Lady, after a visit to Medjugorje. And on March 6th 2024, the diocese published its results, decreeing a “constat de non supernaturalitate,” verdict: (the non-supernaturality has been proven).
Yet since then, instead of accepting the declarations of the Church as CTTK claims it does, they have been continuing to write favourably about Cardia. A piece has been written by a Mark Mallett, including a quote from a Peter Bannister, casting doubts on the commission that made the decision about Cardia. This suggests that CTTK is not obedient - but is just feigning obedience while undermining the bishop's authority. Mallett also writes "Countdown to the Kingdom exists to simply discern, with the Church, the serious and more credible messages allegedly from Heaven." But it is simply not the God-given role for anyone at CTTK to be doing this, and to suggest otherwise is just pure arrogance.
An important document was issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in November 1996 and placed in L’Osservatore Romano. It stated:
“Regarding the circulation of texts of alleged private revelations, the Congregation states: The interpretation given by some individuals to a decision approved by Paul VI on 14 October 1966 and promulgated on 15 November of that year, in virtue of which writings and messages resulting from alleged revelations could be freely circulated in the Church is absolutely groundless. This decision actually referred to the “Abolition of the Index of Forbidden Books” and determined that after the relevant censures were lifted, the moral obligation still remained of not circulating or reading those writings which endanger faith and morals. It should be recalled however, that with regard to the circulation of texts of alleged private revelations, Canon 823#1 of the current code remains in force: “the Pastors of the Church have the … right to demand that writings to be published by the Christian faithful which touch upon faith or morals be submitted to their judgement”. Alleged supernatural revelations and writings concerning them are submitted in first instance to the judgement of the diocesan Bishop, and in particular cases, to the judgement of the Episcopal Conference and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.”
The screenshots below were taken on 20th March (two weeks after the bishop's declaration on Cardia)
Readers can draw their own conclusions as to the obedience of CTTK.
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