In this section, dedicated to studying more in depth the events, the documentation, and the statements of the Church with respect to Garabandal, we now offer you, in this article, a passage from the book "Garabandal: A Message of Hope," by José Luis Saavedra.
This letter by Card. Joseph Ratzinger is the third of three letters issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding the events that occured in Garabandal between the years 1961 and 1965.
The Holy See's intervention, or lack thereof, according to some, regarding Garabandal, could seem to be "proof" that what took place in Garabandal is not verifiable. However, if we look closely at the Holy See’s response regarding what took place in Garabandal, it is perfectly in accord with the norms established in 1978 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith concerning how to proceed when discerning possible Marian apparitions and revelations.
For someone who is not familiar with the expressions that the Church uses when she evaluates a case of possible apparitions, the words found in Msgr. Fernandez’s note (which was the first diocesan verdict) can lead one to understand that he affirmed that there is nothing supernatural in the events that took place in San Sebastian de Garabandal. However, that is not true.
