Controversy Surrounding the Beatification of Italian Mystic Luisa Piccarreta

The Catholic Church has made a controversial decision to suspend the beatification process of Italian mystic Luisa Piccarreta, known for her spiritual exercises focused on union with the will of God. This decision comes after years of examination of Piccarreta’s case, initiated in 1994 by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Pichierri of Trani.

Bishop Benoît Bertrand of Mende, president of the French bishops’ Episcopal Doctrinal Commission, shared a message from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints addressing the bishops of France, conveying the decision to halt the examination of Piccarreta’s case. The reasons cited by the dicastery include theological, Christological, and anthropological concerns. They argue that Piccarreta’s teachings do not allow for the exercise of free will, lack emphasis on God’s unconditional love, and neglect important Christian doctrines such as the resurrection of Christ and ecclesial communion.

Piccarreta, who was born in 1865 in the province of Bari, claimed to have experienced mystical phenomena and a special connection with the Divine Will. Despite facing restrictions on her writings and teachings, she continued to attract followers and interest from priests and laypeople. Her writings, totaling about 10,000 pages in 36 notebooks, have been a subject of controversy and debate within the Catholic Church.

The decision to suspend Piccarreta’s beatification process has sparked discussions and debates among believers and scholars. While some continue to support her teachings and message, others are cautious about the potential confusion they may cause among the faithful. The story of Luisa Piccarreta and her spiritual journey remains a complex and intriguing chapter in the history of mysticism and faith.