Appearances can be downright deceptive (False "apparitions" trouble the Church)

The Times (U.K.) ^ | February 11 2006 | Simon Caldwell

[Mrs. Don-o]

This website claims that the Akita apparitions were OK's by the bishop in 1986 and by Card. Ratzinger in 1988.

http://www.apparitions.org/akita.html

Keep in mind, though, that even if there were authentic apparitions of the Virgin Mary, each and every reported incident there may not be authentic. It's quite possible for one genuine apparition to be followed by dozens of spurious locutions, pronouncements of hallucinatin' ladies of a certain age, eccentric interpreters, etc.

This happens even at 100% legit places like Fatima, Guadalupe and Lourdes: These things always attract wackadoo commentators, overheated imitators, and sensation-craving, theologically elastic spiritual tourists, their backpacks and their minds stuffed with paperback heresies and iridescent fluff.

[stuartcr]

OK, thanks.