More on the influence of the 'Family of the Mary' in the Vatican
The Family of Mary, a "sulphurous" community under guardianship
Like several other new communities, 'The Family of Mary' was placed under guardianship by the Vatican in June 2022, on suspicion of psychological and spiritual abuse. This is a surprisingly discreet move for a community with "sulphurous" emanations, whose ramifications extend as far as Switzerland and the Vatican itself.
"Mental enslavement", "absolute power over the individual", "creation of 'clones'". These are just some of the grievances levelled against the Family of Mary by former members. These echoes have undoubtedly reached the ears of Rome, since the dicastery for the clergy has decided to take action following an investigation carried out in 2021 in the Catholic community. In June 2022, the Vatican ordered that the community be placed under trusteeship and that the spiritual director of the community, Gebhard Paul Maria Sigl, be forbidden to have any contact with its members.
This procedure was kept largely secret by the Vatican, and its true ins and outs only came to light thanks to a wide-ranging investigation by the Italian Catholic press agency Adista, published in early 2023. The journalist Ludovica Eugenio, who led the investigations, uncovered serious sectarian aberrations.
Bishop Eleganti's disillusionment
After a long period of discernment, it became clear to Marian Eleganti that "the charism proposed was not authentic". The retired bishop therefore welcomes the fact that the community has been placed under trusteeship. "This will certainly help it to adopt a healthier direction". He also believes that the removal of Paul Maria Sigl is a good thing. "I think he carries with him the whole problematic past linked to the community", says the Swiss prelate.
Theological and ecclesial abuses
Over and above the issues of control and the infantilisation of followers, Adista has revealed the existence of profound theological and ecclesial distortions. The spiritual life of the Family of Mary is centred on the cult of the visions of the Dutch visionary Ida Peerdemann, of whom Paul Maria Sigl was a friend. These visions were condemned by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) because they did not conform to Catholic teaching. "The Amsterdam apparitions are false. The 'Lady of All Nations' (the figure of the Virgin associated with Ida Peerdeman's visions, editor's note) must not be venerated and the faithful must cease all propaganda", declared the CDF in 2020. According to Adista, the community generally refers to other mystical figures rarely recognised by the Church.
The Italian press agency also claims, on the basis of photos it was able to obtain, that Paul Maria Sigl celebrated masses between 1978 and 1982, well before his ordination in 1992. Liturgical simulation is one of the most serious offences under canon law.
"Why wasn't Paul Maria Sigl, with such a serious past, expelled earlier?
Ludovica Eugenio
According to the Italian media, however, the Vatican's suspension has more to do with sectarian aberrations than with theological and ecclesiastical abuses. This is a phenomenon of particular concern to the Church after cases of spiritual and psychological abuse recently hit the headlines, particularly in so-called 'new' communities. In an extreme form, the system of control established within the Communauté de Saint-Jean by Marie-Dominique Philippe (in this case accompanied by sexual abuse) has particularly shocked public opinion.
How is the Church responding?
These cases also raise questions about the responsiveness of Church authorities. Ludovica Eugenio, contacted by cath.ch, wonders "Why wasn't Paul Maria Sigl, with such a serious past, excluded before?
The question is also being raised at local level. A controversy has arisen in the diocese of Séez in Normandy, where the community is active. An article in the local newspaper Le Réveil Normand in May 2023 asked: "Given that the Family of Mary, represented today by four 'sisters' and three priests at La Brardière, has been placed under investigation by the Vatican, one wonders why the diocese continues to 'promote' it. The Bishop of Séez (Mgr Jean-Claude Boulanger), through his communications manager, Violaine d'Aillières, commented in the newspaper that "la Brardière is a very small branch of the Family of Mary, whose mission is to be at the service of visiting pilgrims and the parish".
Nothing to report in Switzerland
This is a concern that does not yet seem to have emerged in Switzerland, where the Family of Mary is present in two places. The community has a house in Eppishausen, in Thurgau (in the diocese of Basel). Since 2020, it has also been responsible for the convent of St. Scholastika in Tübach, in the diocese of St. Gallen.
On the subject of the Eppishausen community, the Diocese of Basel told cath.ch that the Vatican had indeed informed the dioceses concerned in June 2022 of the investigations carried out with the Family of Mary. "The diocese of Basel is not involved, as the community is not subject to its supervision", the diocese simply stated.
"The small size of the Family of Mary and its discretion no doubt mean that it flies well under the radar".
In St Gallen, the Diocese said it was aware that a visit had taken place, but had no further information. The Tübach sisters told the Catholic portal that "everything will continue as usual" for their community. They have forwarded the request to the Vatican commissioner responsible for administering the trusteeship, Monsignor Daniele Libanori. The Auxiliary Bishop of Rome himself referred to the explanations given on the website of the Dicastery for the Clergy.
Vatican connections
The handling of this affair therefore seems to remain reserved. The small size of the Family of Mary (around 250 members in eleven countries), and its discretion, no doubt mean that the community is flying well under the radar, both in the Vatican and in the dioceses.
However, it would be wrong to see the Family of Mary as a largely insignificant group. On the contrary, it appears that its influence is quite widespread, even in the highest spheres of the Vatican. Adista mentions five former members of the Oeuvre du Saint-Esprit (OSS) (the community behind the Family of Mary, disbanded in 1990) who enjoy a high profile in the Catholic world.
"The Family of Mary is therefore not so 'marginal' and is, on the contrary, 'well established' in Rome".
They were ordained "hastily and secretly" on 8 December 1992 in Fatima by Bishop Pavol Hnilica (the founder of the Family of Mary). The newly ordained, "coming from the OSS, did not have the training required for the priesthood", Adista notes in passing. In particular, they had not completed the required years of seminary. In addition to Gebhard Paul Maria Sigl, Luciano Alimandi, considered to be the "right-hand man" of Archbishop Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, is among these people. Ludovica Eugenio also tells cath.ch that Luciano Alimandi was the man responsible for finding psychics in the United States on behalf of Bishop Pavol Hnilica, and who found Theresa Lopez (see article 1/2).
"The devotion and unwavering, sincere commitment of many members have certainly been able to co-exist with all sorts of 'slip-ups'".
Other prominent members of the Family of Mary include Slovak priest Martin Barta, international ecclesiastical assistant to the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (AED/ACN), chaired since 2011 by Cardinal Mauro Piacenza. Cardinal Piacenza is the former prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy and, since 2013, the principal penitentiary of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary (the Vatican's highest court). The ecclesiastical assistant of ACN's Italian section, Colombian priest Martino Serrano, also belongs to the Work of Jesus the Sovereign Priest, the priestly branch of the Family of Mary.
According to Adista, Cardinal Piacenza is very close to the community, his secretary at the Penitentiary being Lubomir Welnitz. The Slovak, who is also a member of the Work of Jesus the Sovereign Priest, has been one of the Masters of Pontifical Ceremonies since 2020.
Dissolution or reform?
So the 'Family of Mary' is not so "marginal", and on the contrary is said to be "well established" in Rome. However, this position has not prevented the private association of faithful of pontifical right from finding itself on the Vatican's "grooming" list.
In his explanation of the trusteeship, which can be seen on the Family of Mary website, the commissioner in charge of the community states that following the apostolic visit, "the need to review the exercise of authority, which must be linked to the truth in order to respect consciences", emerged clearly. Mgr Libanori also noted "the path of purification" awaiting the association. This involves "a sincere confrontation with those inside and outside (...) who are presumed to be victims of spiritual abuse, manipulation and the system of power put in place by the founder".
"The Vatican now has to separate the wheat from the chaff".
As with most of the new communities 'nabbed' by Rome, it is important to bear in mind that the picture is certainly not all black for the Family of Mary. The devotion and unwavering, sincere commitment of many of its members have certainly been able to coexist with all sorts of "slip-ups". For example, according to a letter published by Adista in 1995 addressed to Pavol Hnilica, a former member wrote that "unfortunately - alongside the good and authentic fruit, there was also other fruit in our community that was not so good.
The Vatican now has to separate the wheat from the chaff. What stage has this discernment reached and what will be the outcome? It's impossible to know at the moment. Will the Vatican opt for outright dissolution, or is there still a chance of reform? Ludovica Eugenio has little faith in the second option. "After decades of such serious and far-reaching influence and deviance, I don't see how a simple decision by the Vatican could radically change people's minds," she says.
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