The books, Poem of the Man-God, by Maria Valtorta became popular after Our Lady was asked if the faithful could read them, and She responded positively towards them. At this time, there was open controversy surrounding these works. On July 21, 1992, the founder of Caritas of Birmingham wrote a letter to Cardinal Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to request “a clear, concise statement†concerning whether or not the writings of Italian mystic, Maria Valtorta, could be read by the faithful. Ten months later, Caritas’ founder received a reply to his question addressed to Cardinal Ratzinger, of which he sent it through the bishop of the Birmingham, Alabama Diocese, Reverend Raymond J. Boland. In essence, it said that the faithful could read and spread Maria Valtorta’s writings as long as it was stated that these works are the literary forms used by the author and not of supernatural origin. Pope Pius XII simply stated after reading the works of Maria Valtorta’s Poem:
“Publish this work as is. He who reads will understand.â€
