A group of Catholic pilgrims associated with the Society of St Pius X was refused entry to a Marian shrine in northern Italy on March 28, despite having announced the visit in advance and intending only to pray.
The incident took place at the Sanctuary of the Sorrowful Blessed Virgin in Cuceglio, in the Diocese of Ivrea, where a Lenten pilgrimage organised by the Priory of San Carlo in Montalenghe arrived after travelling several miles on foot. According to reports in the local newspaper La Voce, the group included several priests, the Consoling Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and dozens of lay faithful, including young families. Some pilgrims carried a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows as part of the procession.
The pilgrimage had been planned as a simple act of devotion. No Mass or liturgical celebration had been scheduled, only a short period of concluding prayers at the shrine.
However, on arrival, the pilgrims found the church doors closed and locked. They were unable to enter.
La Voce reported on March 29 that the decision to deny access had been taken by the shrine’s chaplain, Don Luca Meinardi, acting on the recommendation of the Bishop of Ivrea, Msgr Daniele Salera. The newspaper observed that the decision “inevitably clashes with an ecclesiastical lexicon that in recent years has emphasized words like welcome, inclusion, dialogue, and mercy”.
Fr Aldo Rossi, prior of Montalenghe and leader of the pilgrimage, addressed the faithful outside the closed doors. His remarks were recorded and later circulated.
“We have reached the end of the pilgrimage,” he said, “and we find the doors closed. Saint Athanasius said: you remain outside places of worship, but faith dwells within you.”
He continued: “Let’s see what’s more important: the place or the faith? True faith, obviously.”
Fr Rossi then broadened his remarks to criticise what he described as contradictions in contemporary Church practice. Speaking directly to the assembled pilgrims, he said: “Well, in the prevailing culture of inclusion, doors are opened to everyone: to Anglicans who celebrate Mass in the mother of all churches in Rome, St John Lateran, even though they are not even priests.”
Fr Rossi went on to criticise Pope Leo’s recent communication with Sarah Mullally. “Just two days ago, Rome sent a message to the female Anglican archbishop on the occasion of her installation, reminding her to walk together, bearing in mind that differences cannot erase the brotherhood born of our shared baptism. Churches are opening their doors to Protestants, even allowing them to celebrate Mass in a parish here in Turin. We pray together with all religions.”
He added: “But for us, for the Society of St Pius X, to simply say prayers for vocations, not Mass, but prayers, the doors are closed.”
Fr Rossi went on to argue that the situation revealed a deeper crisis within the Church. “There is only one answer that makes us understand the depth of the crisis of the Church and the liberal culture of inclusiveness,” he said. “Truth is exclusive. Not inclusive. Exclusive. I can include all errors but not the truth. Because truth excludes. Two plus two equals four. And four excludes all other numbers.”
The incident prompted a public appeal letter, issued in the name of those present and dated March 28. The letter described the refusal of access as a matter for prayer and reflection.
“Today, March 28, 2026, the parish priest in charge and the Bishop denied access to the shrine to a group of local Catholics faithful to their origins and traditions, who had gathered here on pilgrimage for half an hour of prayer,” it stated.
It went on: “This fact is being written so that you may pray. We need to pray for the Church, which on more and more occasions presents itself as just another organization, full of participatory bodies, reconciliation efforts, and pastoral programmes at various levels, striving for the unity of charisms and constructive dialogue, like true ‘schools’ of communion and reconciliation’.”
The letter concluded with a prayer: “Sorrowful Blessed Virgin, pray for us and for the Church of Christ. O Saint Joseph, defend the Holy Church from every adversity and extend your patronage over each one of us.”
No official statement from the Diocese of Ivrea had been issued at the time of reporting.
