There was a period in Saint Padre Pio's life where the local Bishop ordered him to stop his public Ministry. In his case it was hearing confessions, otherwise he was a typical monk living a life of work and study and prayer.
Many books and articles describe this as unfair. The townspeople were well aware of the miracles surrounding him, thankful because he was always present around their sick and dying, and his confession lines were enormous.
When a person entered the confessional and were less than forthright, he knew it, and would send them away with the admonition to come back when they are ready to be truthful. He already knew all their sins
He was a stern taskmaster.
I'm going to side with the bishop on this one. St. Padre Pio was put on ice because among the townspeople, there was a cult of personality developed around him. And he did not want this either. St. Padre Pio was pointing everyone towards Christ, meanwhile the townspeople directed their attention towards him. This was hardly an exile as he still demonstrated to them piety and charity. Some say this period was when he was his most effective.
JP2 beatified him in 2002. That is like being a first-ballot hall-of-famer.
Good article. Thanks
After the war, a member of that American bombing mission went to visit him. That alone speaks volumes to the authenticity of that event.