Positive approaches to Garabandal

IN AUGUST 1980, the present Bishop of Garabandal, Bishop Juan Antonio del Val Gallo was asked by Conchita for his permission to participate in the BBC Everyman film, `Garabandal: After the Visions'.
Had his permissiGn not been given, the film would not have been made. Bishop del Val knew, that in giving permission the film would be shown on British television and then sold to be shown throughout the world.
To give permission, was not a prudent decision, if he believed the events at Garabandal were "condemned officially". He has been Bishop of Santander since January 1972.
In 1961, when he was not as yet a bishop, he resigned as a member of the inquiry Commission. In Holy Week 1981, Bishop del Val saw the film prior to it being shown five times over the Easter weekend in the village of Garabandal. It was screened in this country on Sunday December 28, 1980, Sunday July 26, 1981, and Thursday April 28, 1983.
Doctor Luis Morales the eminent Spanish psychiatrist, principal lay member of the Commission of investigation of 1961, held a conference on Monday May 30, 1983, in the stately Hall of the Ateneo dc Santander.
To an audience of almost a thousand people, he said "If I am here today to speak to you on the apparitions of Our Lady at Garabandal it is because She herself has worked this change of attitude in me." He then gave a brief 'expose' of the events of Garabandal, then dwelt on the scientific, metaphysic and spiritual aspects of the Messages with reference to various authorities in these fields.
This conference was repeated three days later before another large audience in Madrid. A statement, issued by Bishop del Val of Santander, to the Spanish press, on 24 August, 1983 states: "Although the conferences with regard to Garabandal, by Dr Luis Morales, were given with my permission, his words do not in any way reflect the opinion of the Bishop of the Diocese."
Bishop Jose Maria Cirarda Lachiondo was Bishop of Santander for three years, until December 1971, he then became Archbishop of Toledo. On June 8, 1983, the now Archbishop in a letter to Dr Morales, "It gives me joy to know that you continue speaking on Garabandal and other similar phenomena, backed by your professional scientific knowledge and your deep Christian and ecclesial spirit".
The above attitudes do not support condemnation of Garabandal.
Austin Curran 28 Laurel Drive,
Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside.
• I SEE the Bishop of Hexham. & Newcastle has once again. backed Bishop Puchol's condemnation of Garabandal. Readers will be interested to learn of Conchita's (one of the Visionaries) meeting with her Bisheo as told by Ramon Perez in his book A Village Speaks.
Mgr Puchol noticed that she was wearing a ring and asked her if that was the ring the Virgin had kissed.
Conchita replied that she had offered the ring to Our Lady but she was not sure if she had kissed it. Thereupon the Bishop took Conchita's hand and pressed the ring to his lips. "In case the Blessed Virgin has kissed it" he remarked on returning the ring. So much for his condemnation of the Apparitions!
Is there any wonder there is controversy over Garabandal when its own Bishop chooses to hedge his bet, Maurice de Souza 10 Ronaldstone Road, Sidcup, Kent, DAIS 8QD