CAPUCHINS WILL CONTINUE TO RUN SHRINE OF PADRE PIO

VATICAN CITY, MAY 5, 2003 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro Valls, director of Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration at noon today:

"As there have been news reports by the media about the administration of the Shrine of St. Giovanni Rotondo, I think it is appropriate to clarify that the Capuchin Fathers will continue to run the shrine. The archbishop of the place, however, has the right and duty to watch over the pastoral activity that takes place there, as does every bishop in his diocese according to the general norms of Canon Law.

"The title of Holy See Delegate for the Works of Padre Pio is similar to that given by the Supreme Pontiffs to the delegates of other shrines. There are in fact pontifical delegates who sometimes are also ordinaries of the place, such as Loreto and Pompeii (in Italy). In other instances, there are prelates that are delegates only for the shrine (and are not the local ordinary), such as Cardinal Antonetti for the Basilica of Assisi and Archbishop Gioia for the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua."

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