Apostolic Letters – Page 22 – Antipope John XXIII

Praeclarissimum (1960.04.07)

amdg / 2025-11-08

The document, issued by antipope John XXIII in 1960, grants the parish church of St Dominic in Arezzo the title and juridical privileges of a minor basilica, extolling its Gothic-Romanesque architecture, its works of art (notably the Crucifix attributed to Cimabue), its historical association with Innocent V, and the care of the Dominican community for sacred rites and fostering vocations; with solemn juridical formulae, it decrees the elevation of the church and confirms the perpetuity and validity of this concession. In reality, beneath the polished curial Latin, we face a typical act of the nascent conciliar sect, which instrumentalizes traditional forms to mask the usurpation of authority and to habituate the faithful to accept a counterfeit magisterium.

Saint Joseph as the principal heavenly patron of the diocese of Cúcuta, depicted in a traditional Catholic scene with the Divine Infant Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Apostolic Letters

Beatum Ioseph (1960.04.07)

amdg / 2025-11-08

The document issued by John XXIII on 7 April 1960, entitled “Beatum Ioseph,” purports to confirm Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as the principal heavenly patron of the diocese of Cúcuta. In brief, it recites the pious motives, notes the petition of Paulus Correa León, then “bishop” of Cúcuta, and, invoking “apostolic authority,” declares Saint Joseph patron with the usual liturgical honors attached to such a title.

The Archbishop of Milan stands in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana surrounded by sacred texts and traditional Catholic iconography.

Apostolic Letters

Religio bonaeque (1960.03.16)

amdg / 2025-11-08

Francesco Roncalli, styling himself “Ioannes PP. XXIII,” issues in this brief Latin rescript the nomination of the sitting Archbishop of Milan “pro tempore” as Patron of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. The document praises Cardinal Federico Borromeo’s founding of the Ambrosiana as a centre for sacred and humane letters, extols the Roman See as benefactress of higher culture, recalls Paul V’s provision that the Milan archbishop vigilantly visit the library, and then decrees in perpetuity that the Archbishop of Milan shall be its Patron, nullifying all contrary dispositions.

A Catholic bishop in full liturgical vestments stands in a historic Scandinavian cathedral holding the 'Apostolici muneris' document, surrounded by traditional Catholic iconography.

Apostolic Letters

Apostolici muneris (1960.03.01)

amdg / 2025-11-08

The document under review, promulgated by John XXIII on 1 March 1960 under the title “Apostolici muneris,” decrees the erection of an Apostolic Delegation “in Scandia” for Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, with its seat in Copenhagen. It presents this act as a pastoral measure to strengthen “the Christian name” and to promote “the true religion” by a diplomatic and administrative presence representing the “See of Peter” in those lands separated from Catholic unity.

John XXIII signing the 'Diuturno usu' document in a Vatican office with a view of Constantinople's architecture in the background.

Apostolic Letters

Diuturno usu (1960.02.29)

amdg / 2025-11-08

The document “Diuturno usu,” issued by John XXIII on 29 February 1960, decrees the erection of an Apostolic Internunciature of the Holy See in the Republic of Turkey, with its seat in Constantinople, attributing to this diplomatic mission all the faculties, privileges, and indults proper to pontifical legations, in order to bind the “Apostolic See” and the Turkish Republic with public bonds of friendship “for the firm establishment of the goods of peace and the attainment of true progress.” It is a terse juridico-diplomatic act whose entire theological content, where it appears at all, is subordinated to the ideology of secular “peace,” mutual recognition, and parity between the one true Church of Christ and an openly anti-Catholic, Islamist-laicist regime: in one sentence, it is a small but pure specimen of the conciliar revolution’s abandonment of the public Kingship of Christ for the cult of inter-state diplomacy.

A historic cathedral in Venezuela dedicated to Our Lady of Help, with a focus on traditional Catholic piety and Marian devotion.

Apostolic Letters

Urbi Valentiae (1960.02.12)

amdg / 2025-11-08

Urbi Valentiae is a brief Latin text in which John XXIII, acting as alleged Roman Pontiff, confers on the cathedral church of Valencia in Venezuela, dedicated to Our Lady of Help, the honorary title and privileges of a Minor Basilica. It recites the building’s historical, artistic, and Marian significance and decrees, with typical curial formulae, that the said church be elevated to this dignity, invoking “Apostolic authority” and nullifying any contrary dispositions.

A priest leading a procession in honor of St. John Bosco in the Diocese of Rivadavia, symbolizing traditional Catholic devotion and the fight against modernist errors.

Apostolic Letters

Expedit sane (1960.02.12)

amdg / 2025-11-08

The document entitled Expedit sane, issued by John XXIII on 12 February 1960, designates St. John Bosco as the “principal heavenly Patron” of the Diocese of Rivadavia, invoking his missionary zeal and historical links with the region as a spiritual support for the growth of the local “Church.” In a few solemn juridical formulas, it pretends to exercise apostolic authority, to bind the faithful, and to shower “liturgical privileges” on the diocese in virtue of a plenitude of power claimed by the author.

Saint Louise de Marillac tending to the poor in a traditional 17th-century French village setting, emphasizing supernatural charity rooted in faith.

Apostolic Letters

Omnibus Mater (1960.02.10)

amdg / 2025-11-08

The document “Omnibus Mater,” issued by John XXIII in 1960, formally proclaims Saint Louise de Marillac as heavenly patroness of all engaged in “Christian social works.” It extols Catholic charity as “mother of all,” highlights modern social miseries, praises institutional remedies, and presents Louise—co-foundress with Saint Vincent de Paul of the Daughters of Charity—as a paradigmatic matron of organized charitable action, extending her patronage worldwide to all “social works.”

St. Charles Borromeo Church in Carmel, California, as a minor basilica with Our Lady of Bethlehem statue and wedding ceremony.

Apostolic Letters

A A A LA Ioannes XXIII and the Cult of Californianism (1960.02.05)

amdg / 2025-11-08

The document attributed to Ioannes XXIII, dated 5 February 1960, grants the title and privileges of a minor basilica to the church of St Charles Borromeo at Carmel in the diocese of Monterey-Fresno. It praises the building’s antiquity, its connection with the early evangelization of California, the burial of Junípero Serra, its architectural and civic value, its popularity for nuptial ceremonies, and the devotion to “Our Lady of Bethlehem,” and concludes with the usual juridical formulae elevating the shrine. The entire text is a self-revelation of a curial mentality already detached from the supernatural mission of the Church and preparing the way for the conciliar revolution.

A solemn interior of the 17th-century cathedral of Ayacucho, Peru, elevated to a minor basilica by John XXIII in 1960. The baroque architecture features rich ornaments and sacred art.

Apostolic Letters

Meritis laudibus (1960.01.15)

amdg / 2025-11-08

The Latin letter under the title Meritis laudibus, issued on 15 January 1960 by the usurper John XXIII, concerns a single administrative act: raising the 17th‑century cathedral of Ayacucho in Peru, dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows, to the rank of a minor basilica. The text praises the baroque architecture, rich ornaments, and artistic furnishings, then, “from the fullness of Apostolic power,” grants the new title with its associated privileges.