After the systematic destruction of the once flourishing Order of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, here is some good news about their beleaguered founder, Father Stefano Manelli:
You all will remember the plight of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI). They have been under the heavy boot of the Congregation for Religious for a long time now.
In the horrid mix were also awful allegations that had been made against the founder of the FFIs, Fr. Stefano Manelli.
I just read a story which says that all the allegations and charges against him have been investigated by civil authorities and shelved by civil authorities. They dropped it. HERE
Now it remains to be seen whether or not the Congregation will in any way change its tune, or whether they will continue to make of the FFIs an example to take the heart out of traditionalists, Catholics driven mercilessly by libs to the peripheries.
About time!
It was painfully obvious from the beginning that Fr Stefano Manelli had committed no misdemeanour of any sort whatsoever. How could a sincere desire to faithfully follow the Church’s commandments and Her ancient, beautiful Liturgy, be considered reprehensible? Such an idea is outrageous!
All the twisted allegations thrown at Fr Manelli were made by a tiny percentage (four, if I remember correctly) of his flourishing new order of hundreds, who were harbouring liberal, anti-traditional views. These four had quarrelled with other members of the FFI, felt ostracised and ignored, so out of spite took their grievances to Rome. And we all know the immoderate response from Rome (from those in the Curia suspicious of so-called rigid traditionalists) to these aggrieved liberals who had infiltrated the order!
With the vindication of Fr Manelli, perhaps we may now be hopeful that an end to all the excessive interference and restrictions of this faithful Catholic order is finally in sight, Deo volente.
Reblogged this on Solutio Problematis Omnes (aka "The Catholic Linker").
Well said, Kathleen. May the Lord grant the Franciscans of the Immaculate the grace to flourish once more!
Did you know that two of the friars who complained to Rome and triggered the scandalous process of destruction of this fine order, Fr Angelo Geiger and Fr Peter Damian Fehlner, have now left the FFI to return to the Conventual Franciscans?
https://www.gloria.tv/video/pCKxyMCR8Ucb4raDyhpgQL7h6
No, I hadn’t heard this news – thank you, mmvc. 🙂
It’s really a shame they didn’t leave right at the start of their disagreement with the traditional Catholic order. This would have avoided years of unnecessary suffering and turmoil befalling their former brothers and the founder, Fr Manelli.