Paul KeenanBishop’s imprimatur ‘a positive step’
The lay religious group Direction for Our Times (DFOT), which has been subject to controversy, is to seek full canonical status following the issuing of a bishop’s imprimatur on writings of the group.
This week DFOT issued a statement describing the issuing of the imprimatur, by Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore, as “a positive next step” in its mission to spread the messages of prominent member, the lay apostle Anne, who claims to receive regular messages from Heaven.
The imprimatur is a formal statement given by a bishop that a book or books are free from all doctrinal error. The decision of Bishop O’Reilly came following a full inquiry of the group’s range of books and pamphlets in the diocese. DFOT has recently established its headquarters at the former Holy Trinity Abbey at Kilnacrott, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan.
DFOT was established in 2004 in order to spread the messages of Anne. It has been the subject of questions as to the authenticity of the messages conveyed, and, in 2012, former supporters Sr Briege McKenna and Fr Kevin Scallon publicly withdrew their support. In a statement at that time, Fr Scallon said: “Recent information has caused me to question the authenticity of Direction for Our Times. Regretfully, I’ve come to discern that I can no longer support or encourage involvement in this organisation.”
Neither Fr Scallon nor Sr McKenna offered any further details on the cause of their disassociation from DFOT.