Bacchiocchi Responds to False Allegations - Part 2 - A New You ...

Bacchiocchi Responds to False Allegations – Part 2 32
a difference. The important thing is that the page of the imprimatur consists
of three approvals: the first from the two examiners who approved
the whole dissertation, the second from the Rector of the University, R. P.
Hervè Carrier, S. J. who approved the abridged dissertation, and the third
from the Office of the Vicariate of Rome, who issued the final approval for
the abridged dissertation. In the light of this compelling documentation,
the allegation that I never received the imprimatur for my dissertation,
is baseless and false.
The Story of the Imprimatur. In the light of the above discussion
about the imprimatur, it might be of interest to hear more about the
challenges I faced to receive it. After completing the preparation of the
abridged version of my dissertation, I decided to explore the possibility
of obtaining the imprimatur and of publishing the manuscript in the USA.
The dissertation can be published in part or in full in any country as long
as it is published by a Catholic Press with the official Catholic imprimatur.
Since Andrews University where I live, is located only 25 miles
from Notre Dame University, I decided to explore the possibility of obtaining
the imprimatur for the abridged dissertation through Notre Dame
and of publishing it through their Ave Maria Press. This would save me
an expensive trip to Rome. If it worked out, I would eventually airmail
the 50 required copies of the book to the Academic Dean‘s Office and
thus receive the diploma by mail. After all this is he procedure followed
by priests and monks who serve in different parts of the world.
With this is mind, I went to visit Father John Reedy, Director of the
Ave Maria Press, located inside the campus of Notre Dame. I explained
to him that I needed to receive an imprimatur for the manuscript I placed
in his hands. If he could help me to obtain the imprimatur, then I would
pay the Ave Maria Press for publishing 1000 copies. Eventually 50 copies
would be airmailed to the Gregoriana to fulfil my last requirements
to receive the doctoral diploma.
Father Reedy was most cordial and eager to help me both to obtain
the imprimatur and to publish the partial dissertation, especially since he
also had studied for a time at the Gregoriana. In a few days he read and
approved the manuscript, but he informed me that he needed a second ap-