Archbishop Gilbert Garcera (Photo courtesy of CBCP)

Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera has called on the faithful “to follow Mary’s example off humble obedience to the will of God.”

The Church leader made the statement following an instruction from the Vatican to refrain from celebrating the 75th anniversary of the alleged Marian apparition in Lipa, Batangas.

“I acknowledge that this decision may be difficult for many of you, but I trust that, in your love for our Blessed Mother, you will look to her example of humble obedience to the will of God,” Archbishop Garcera said in a CBCP News post.

The prelate said that in “filial devotion” to the Vatican, the archdiocese cannot permit any activities for the alleged apparition.

“Recall that our Lord has entrusted the care of the Church to the Apostles and to the bishops as their successors; and, hear the words of Mary, our Mother, ‘Do whatever he tells you’,” the archbishop said.

The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has instructed the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines not to authorize activities “in any form” related to the supposed Marian apparitions in 1948.

According to the CBCP, a Marian group has planned activities for Sept. 12, to coincide with the 75th year of the alleged Marian apparition at the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa.

Archbishop Garcera reiterated the Vatican’s definite decision in 1951 that the alleged apparition has “no supernatural origin and character.”

The Church leader however clarified that devotion to Mary as Mediatrix of Grace is not prohibited.