Posted on 10/01/2004 8:49:13 AM PDT by Land of the Irish
A newspaper report published this week states that the Vatican is one step away from assuming full control of Portugal’s holiest religious site. While no official measures have been taken, the Correio da Manhã (CM) newspaper on Wednesday alleges the Vatican’s disapproval of the Dalai Lama and a Hindu priest praying at the Fátima Sanctuary on two separate occasions to be at the centre of Rome’s reported intentions for Fátima. But Portuguese clergymen have been swift in their response to these reports, arguing either that they are false, or that the Vatican gave its blessing for the interfaith gatherings, or that financially-powerful international groups are responsible for these reports.
According to the CM, Rome has already informed the Portuguese Episcopal Confederation (CEP) that they should replace the Bishop of Leiria-Fátima, D. Serafim Ferreira e Silva, along with the Rector of Sanctuary, Monsenhor Luciano Guerra. The newspaper further reveals that should the CEP fail to react upon this “recommendation”, Rome would assume unilateral control of Fátima.
It is further revealed that opposition against the two Portuguese clergymen has been growing steadily, and the religious gathering of Hindus at Fátima with the Sanctuary’s blessing in May appears to have been the final straw for more conservative members of the Vatican.
Names have reportedly already been forwarded as to whom would be the most suitable replacements for the Bishop of Leiria-Fátima, with the respective Assistant Bishops of Lisbon and Oporto being the current frontrunners according to CM.
However, even if the CEP were to agree on a suitable replacement, the Vatican has the final word and can therefore still oppose his election, thereby setting the wheels in motion to remove control of Fátima from the hands of the Portuguese Church, the newspaper explains.
Following these revelations, TSF radio managed to contact the Leiria-Fátima Bishop, who, speaking from the Sanctuary, said he had no official knowledge of these criticisms, but denied talk that the Vatican was seeking to assume control of Fátima. TSF however revealed that a number of bishops linked to traditionalist groups have been asking for the removal of Rector of the Sanctuary.
Meanwhile, Fátima is widely considered to be one of the most profitable religious venues in the world. Official figures for 2003 show that the Sanctuary recorded net-profits in excess of €8.4 million.
Also the Bishop of the Armed Forces, Januário Torgal Ferreira, told PortugalDiário (PD), these reports “are unfounded”, accusing a Canadian group “full of money and obsolete ideas” of attacking the work of Luciano Guerra and D. Serafim.
Other Catholic circles appear to have been taken by surprise with this news report, arguing that the Pope himself has worked hard at improving interfaith dialogue, recalling the 1986 peace gathering in Italy, where John Paul II convened a meeting of several religious leaders, including Hindus.
Regarding the Hindu pilgrimage to Fátima earlier this year, Luciano Guerra, in a statement sent out on June 29, explained that the group “wished to reconstruct the visit by Morari Bapur, which preceded the arrival of Pope John Paul II in Fátima in May 1982.”
The rector further denies any ‘wrongdoing” at the Fátima altar: “The priest (Hindu) sang a hymn for some minutes. He made no gesture, nor perform any ritual over or outside the altar”.
At a press conference called by the Rector on Wednesday afternoon, Luciano Guerra said he was prepared to stay on in his current position until 2007, the year in which work on Santíssima Trindade Church is set to be completed.
He also denied any knowledge of reports saying he was to be replaced as Rector.
Regarding the Hindu visit earlier this year, Luciano Guerra, who has been Rector at Fátima since 1973, explains that he has received more than two hundred letters, “varying from complete approval, to accusations of heresy”.
Nevertheless, the Rector admitted he would not permit visits under similar circumstances to the Hindu visit to take place in the future at the Shrine.
In another response, CEP has denied any contacts from Rome to have the Bishop of Leiria-Fátima replaced.
In comments to Lusa, D. Tomaz Nunes stated that all initiatives to open the Sanctuary to other religions occurred with the agreement of CEP. In other words, any action by the Vatican against the Bishop and the Rector would have to be accompanied by sanctions against all the bishops of Portugal belonging to CEP.
In the meantime, observers and interested parties alike, eagerly await the publication of an official position by the Vatican concerning these reports.
Also see story on Page 5 of this edition, regarding planned protests against the opening of the Sanctuary to other religions.
Ping
Don't know much about Hindus , but why do they care???
Hindu's are polytheists and easily adopt anything that seems good into their pantheon.
Why does a religious shrine earn so much money, and how is having other faiths worship there, bad? Didn't God put this holy place there for the people?
You've got to be kidding.
May "Portugal always keep the Faith" as stated by the Blessed Mother.
How can the Vatican take over a shrine to Muhammed's daughter?
"Meanwhile, Fátima is widely considered to be one of the most profitable religious venues in the world. Official figures for 2003 show that the Sanctuary recorded net-profits in excess of €8.4 million."
That's probably the real reason why Rome wants to take control of Fatima. The interfaith excuse is a smokescreen - especially since far worse sacrileges occur in the pope's own back yard - with papal blessing (quite apart from the abominations at Assisi 1 and 2).
Not at all, please explain.
Just a friendly suggestion.
Take it or leave it.
The name of the town is Fatima, but it's a Catholic shrine to Mary.
Just wanted to make sure people were awake out there!
Sorry. A silly joke.
It seems like the last 3 years everything is:
"All Muslim
All The Time."
I don't really understand a pilgrimage, but with that kind of money, I can understand wanting control. Thanks
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