Bishop forbids group from spreading material it claims is divine

Published: 2008-03-05

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (CNS) -- Stating that the authenticity of "messages, stories and devotions" being propagated by a local prayer group "has not been proven," Springfield Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell has forbidden the group from disseminating material it contends is of divine origin. An investigative team, charged last November with looking into the Springfield-based prayer group known as Seeds of Hope, recently completed its review. The results of the review prompted Bishop McDonnell to send Neil Harrington Jr., leader of the group, a letter dated Feb. 21 stating: "The content of those messages, stories and devotions is not to be disseminated by word, writing or any other means to any person." Seeds of Hope has been distributing its literature via the Internet and distributing it in parishes in various parts of the country, including Louisiana. According to diocesan spokesman Mark E. Dupont, the investigative team was formed late last fall in response to "questions and concerns of several area parishioners" that Seeds of Hope was operating in a manner that could be harmful to Catholics.

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