CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas  INQUIRE FILE PHOTO

“We do not need apparitions to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary”

This was the response of CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas when asked to comment on a Vatican decree stating that the Marian apparitions in Lipa City, Batangas, that ‘supposedly’ happened more than 60 years ago had not “supernatural origin”

The Vatican’s move reversed the declaration made earlier by Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles that the phenomenon was “worthy of belief

Villegas, head of the Lingayen Dagupan Archdiocese, said that Mary’s being the Mother of Jesus is our first and constant reason for honoring her.”

“We do not need apparitions to honor her,” he said in a text message to reporteers.

He added that the CPCP would abide by the decision of the Holy See.

“Rome has spoken.  The case is closed.  We  all obey the Holy See.”  Villegas

Tina G. Santos  reporter@santostinaING

Philippines Daily Inquirer;  June14 2016