The Church has three categories to judge apparitions;
1) constat de supernaturalitate (it is established supernatural) (APPROVED)
2) constat de non supernaturalitate (it is established not supernatural) (CONDEMNED)
3) non constat de supernaturalitate (it is not established supernatural) (NO OFFICIAL DECLARATIONS)
The default category for all apparitions is #3. non constat. Although it is true it is not approved, it is also true it is not condemned.
Right now, Medjugorje, Garabandal, Cross, and thousands of other apparition sites are #3. If the Ruini report gets released, on Medjugorje, then the word is the first 7 days will be category #1. (Approved) and all other apparitions after the first 7 days will be still #3.
Bishop Vandale was the Bishop most positive about Garabandal and did a second investigation in the 80’s.
All the Bishops did not approve it nor did they condemn it. So we are allowed to have a personal experience.
The Vatican does not have anything on its web site on Garabandal.
Also, he Catechism of the Catholic Church says,
#67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church. Christian faith cannot accept “revelations” that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such “revelations”.
Keeping CCC #67 in mind, do we need help in our day to live the faith? The message of Garabandal does not go against the faith and morals of the Church and it encourages us to convert, pray, visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and Meditate on the passion of Jesus.
Many people find a grace or help or encouragement to live the faith in some private revelations and that is a good thing.
As of May 17, 2024, Pope Francis has written up a ” NORMS FOR PROCEEDING IN THE DISCERNMENT OF ALLEGED SUPERNATURAL PHENOMENA”
The New Norms issued by Pope Francis is to “not to stifle the spirit.” As long private revelations are not against faith and morals, and no deception going on, Let the people have their positive experience. The Pope quotes Paul’s 1 Thes 5 “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not despise prophesying, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil.“