The alleged apparitions and other phenomena on the Borg in-Nadur hill in Birżebbuġa are neither divine nor supernatural and should stop being promoted as such at once, according to the Church.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna yesterday issued a decree following a thorough investigation into the claims of mystical phenomena made by Anġelik Caruana since 2006.

While Mr Caruana could not be reached for his reaction, news of the Church decree was also divulged in a link posted on a website dedicated to the alleged apparitions at Borg in-Nadur.

The site – ladysapparitions.weebly.com – also contained a declaration, in which the authors pledged not to go against the Church’s declaration over the “supernatural events” it had recorded.

The probe had been ordered by Mgr Scicluna’s predecessor, Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona, in reaction to various requests by Christian faithful who sought the guidance of ecclesiastical authorities over the alleged mystical phenomena.

Mr Caruana, 50, had initially claimed that a statue of the Virgin Mary in his Birżebbuġa home was weeping blood and oozing oil instead of tears. At the time, the father of four was employed as a receptionist at a home for the elderly in Floriana.

Subsequently, it was alleged that during monthly prayer meetings he conducted at Borg in-Nadur hill, which attracted large crowds, there had been regular apparitions of the Virgin Mary who allegedly used to deliver messages to him.

Reports of supernatural phenomena intensified over the years with claims that an angel administered Holy Communion to Mr Caruana, who in turn claimed to have developed visible stigmata, as well as visions of hell.

He had hit the headlines in 2006 following a story in Nationalist Party newspaper Il-Mument by Michael Caruana, who recounted how he had seen blood and oil on the face of an inexpensive statue of the Virgin Marty bought by Anġelik Caruana’s wife.

Contacted for his reaction, Michael Caruana who is now the editor of the Church’s official newspaper Leħen is-Sewwa, said he accepted the Archbishop’s decree.

“Nevertheless, I cannot but state that at the time I had experienced extraordinary events that I could neither hide nor decline to publish,” he said.

I cannot but state that at the time I had experienced extraordinary events that I could neither hide nor decline to publish

Michael Caruana said that soon after publishing the story he was mocked by his colleagues, as Anġelik Caruana had warned him would happen.

While acknowledging that for some time he was close to Anġelik Caruana, the Leħen is-Sewwa editor pointed out that he always adhered to the advice of Fr Hayden Williams who was Anġelik Caruana’s religious counsellor , and later Fr Ray Toledo who had been nominated by the Curia.

On the other hand, the editor questioned why Anġelik Caruana decided to be tattooed and wear designer clothing.

In its decision the Church noted that it reached its conclusion following an in-depth analysis of all the circumstances, and weighing up the opinions of experts in various fields of natural and social sciences, as well as of other experts in spiritual theology and Mariology. The decree pointed out that witnesses heard during this investigation included Anġelik Caruana himself who was confronted with the results of the investigations.

Consequently, the Archbishop ordered all Church members to refrain from promoting the alleged phenomena, while exhorting the Christian community to continue promoting the true devotion towards the Eucharist, the Virgin Mary and the saints according to the official liturgy. Mgr Scicluna laid emphasis on the celebration of Mass and devotional prayer approved by the Church in particular the Way of The Cross and the recitation of the rosary.

Anġelik Caruana’s claims of apparitions at Borg in-Nadur, which have attracted large crowds, are not divine nor supernatural, the Archbishop decreed yesterday. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The decree also referred to the catechism of the Church with regard to “private” revelations, officially recognised by ecclesiastical authorities like those which happened in 1858 in Lourdes, France, and Fatima in Portugal in 1917.

Such revelations must not be considered as a means “to improve” or “complete” one’s faith in Christ. In addition, Christian faith cannot accept private revelations that claim to surpass or correct the revelation of which Christ is the fulfilment, the decree said, quoting from the Church’s official teachings on the subject.

In 2009, forensic investigator Anthony Abela Medici and forensic pathologist Albert Cilia Vincenti were commissioned by the Archbishop to investigate blood and oil found on the statue of the Virgin Mary three years earlier.

DNA tests showed the fluid was Anġelik Caruana’s own blood and the transparent liquid was ordinary cooking oil.

Since then, Anġelik Caruana, has shunned the media and refused to give interviews.

Last year he even prevented psychiatrist Mark Xuereb, who had compiled a report after closely monitoring the events from 2006 to 2012, from divulging his findings on current affairs programme Xarabank.

Though Anġelik Caruana had originally consented to the study taking place, he had a change of heart on the eve of the programme.

In a legal letter filed in the First Hall of the Civil Court, Dr Xuereb was notified by his former client that he had retracted his consent to publish the conclusions.

The psychiatrist had also been warned that he could face proceedings for breaching professional secrecy. Anġelik Caruana’s objection is still in force.

Anyone seeking clarifications, the Curia said, should call Fr Rene Camilleri, Episcopal Vicar, during office hours on 2590 6238.