NO APOSTOLIC VISITATOR TO BE SENT TO PADRE PIO'S SHRINE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - In response to news reports that an apostolic visitator will be sent to check on the financial administration of the Capuchin Friars at the shrine of Blessed Padre Pio, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following statement this afternoon:

"The Holy See has not sent, nor does it intend to send, an apostolic visitator to the shrine of Blessed Padre Pio of Pietrelcina at San Giovanni Rotondo, thus respecting the autonomy of religious institutes that are directly responsible for the administration of their own economic affairs."

OP;VISITATOR; SHRINE;...;PADRE PIO; NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010219;Word: 110;