Petition to the Holy See for Father Matteo da Agnone - Padre Matteo da Agnone

We express our deep concern over the fact that the Positio has not yet been completed, almost twenty years after the recognition of the validity of the diocesan inquiry, and over certain decisions attributed to the current Vice-Postulation, including the closure of the Prayer Cenacles, which had supported the Cause for decades. Years of disagreements and contested decisions have gradually created a growing climate of distrust among the majority of the faithful towards the current Vice-Postulation.

We are also concerned about the position taken by the current Vice-Postulation regarding independent initiatives undertaken by the faithful. In a notice published on social media, it firmly distanced itself from unofficial websites, blogs and pages dedicated to Father Matteo, encouraging devotees to consult official channels exclusively.

Yet, while the official website appears not to have been updated for years and other official channels mainly publish announcements concerning religious celebrations, independent initiatives also collect and share testimonies from the faithful. These initiatives contribute to spreading knowledge of and devotion to the Servant of God, an aspect that receives little attention in official communications.

Further concerns arise from certain biographical information published through the current Vice-Postulation's official channels, which appears to differ from sixteenth-century historical sources. Even the name of the Servant of God is presented as “d'Agnone” rather than “da Agnone”, his historical designation.

The figure and spiritual legacy of Father Matteo belong to the entire Church. The devotion of the faithful and their efforts to make him better known deserve encouragement, with full respect for historical truth and ecclesiastical authorities.