Replies

Muslims also pray to “Mary”

http://campus.udayton.edu/mary//resources/shrines/ugandanp.html

Marian National Patronages

The following is a listing of Marian patronages with explicitly identifiable and most acclaimed shrines, some of them with miraculous images. This is not a comprehensive inventory of National Shrines, and our listing will be updated periodically.

http://campus.udayton.edu/mary//resources/shrines/ugandanp.html

This is NO “jack Chick” article or whatever his name is. I’m not familiar with this “Jack Chick” character.

“Mary, Our Hope for Peace with the Muslim World”

(Mary, the Mother of God 2002: This homily was given on January 1, 2002 at St. Pius X Church, Westerly, R.I. by Fr. Raymond Suriani.
“Mary, Our Hope For Peace With The Muslim World.”

The following is taken from a recent issue of First Things, which is a journal edited by Fr. Richard Neuhaus:

“After September 11 many American pundits and editorialists asked, Why do they [i.e., certain Muslims] hate us so? One after another, they answered that they hate us because ‘America is free, rich, powerful, and good.’ There is something in that, but for the most part it is smug self-delusion. They hate us because they believe that the West, now indisputably led by America, has marginalized, exploited, and oppressed them for centuries. They hate us for the cultural decadence that we export and that many of them hate themselves for enjoying. They hate us because we have troops on their sacred soil, and they hate us because we support what they view as the alien State of Israel on their land. Intertwined with all the reasons they hate us, they hate us because we are the infidel who has for years beyond numbering in ways beyond numbering humiliated the chosen people of God

http://www.cfpeople.org/FrRay/Mary2002a.htm

Muslims have a deep regard for the Blessed Mother? She’s mentioned over 30 times in the Koran. No other woman is mentioned even once! There she’s described as “Virgin, ever Virgin.” Imagine, the very doctrine certain liberal Christians reject—the perpetual virginity of Mary—is accepted by Muslims!

Concerning his daughter Fatima, Mohammad—the founder of Islam—said this: “She has the highest place in heaven after the Virgin Mary.”

Mary Worship?

A Study of Catholic Practice and Doctrine

Mary Ann Collins
(A Former Catholic Nun)

June 2001
Revised January 2006

INTRODUCTION

Jesus said that the truth will set us free. (John 8:32) However, He did not say that the truth would necessarily be easy to accept. It was painful for me to learn the information that I am about to share with you, but it was also liberating and it led to a closer relationship with God.

As a faithful Catholic, and later as a nun, I was devoted to Mary. The prayers and practices were so familiar. They were taught to me by sincere people. I prayed the rosary, including rosary novenas. I wore a Brown Scapular and a Miraculous Medal. (You can read about these things in the Glossary, which is Appendix C.) I visited shrines that honor Mary. I had beautiful statues of Mary. I attended special services where we prayed to Mary and recited a litany of titles honoring her. I read books about apparitions of Mary, and dreamed of visiting Lourdes and Fatima. I participated in processions honoring Mary. A statue of Mary was put on a platform that was decorated with flowers. There were poles on the platform, so that men could carry it. The men walked through the streets, carrying the statue on the platform. We walked behind the statue, singing songs in Mary’s honor.

Was this worship? At the time, that question never occurred to me. Now, looking back on what I did, I believe that it was.

If modern Catholic teachings and doctrines about Mary are true, then they will not be contrary to Scripture, the writings of the Early Fathers, or the decrees of past popes. For a devout Catholic to question these issues and put them to the test can be painful. It certainly was for me. However, it would be far more painful to have God correct us when we face Him on Judgment Day.

...

Pope Benedict XV said of Mary that “[O]ne can justly say that with Christ, she herself redeemed mankind.” (Note 10) Pope Pius IX said: “Our salvation is based upon the holy Virgin... so that if there is any hope and spiritual healing for us we receive it solely and uniquely from her.” (Note 11)

http://www.catholicconcerns.com/MaryWorship.html

FÃ¡tima to become interfaith shrine!
Delegates attending the Vatican and United Nations (UN) inspired annual interfaith congress “The Future of God”, held during October in FÃ¡tima, heard how the Shrine is to be developed into a centre where all the religions of the world will gather to pay homage to their various gods. The Congress was held in the Paul VI Pastoral Centre and presided over by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon JosÃƒ© de Cruz Policarpo.

The Shrine’s rector, Monsignor Luciano Guerra, told the Congress that FÃ¡tima “will change for the better.” Addressing Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, Buddhist and African Pagan representatives he stated: “The future of FÃ¡tima, or the adoration of God and His mother at this holy Shrine, must pass through the creation of a shrine where different religions can mingle. The inter-religious dialogue in Portugal, and in the Catholic Church, is still in an embryonic phase, but the Shrine of FÃ¡tima is not indifferent to this fact and is already open to being a universalistic place of vocation.”

http://www.dailycatholic.org/no110803.htm

The Mother Of All Religions?

Commentary by Roger Oakland
The article was titled Fatima to become interfaith shrine. I found the first paragraph rather astonishing. Read carefully every word that is stated:

Delegates attending the Vatican and United Nations (UN) inspired annual interfaith congress “The Future of God”, held during October in Fatima , heard how the Shrine is to be developed into a center where all the religions of the world will gather to pay homage to their various gods. The Congress was held in the Paul VI Pastoral Center and presided over by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon JosÃƒ© de Cruz Policarpo. [1]

...

Somehow, I have a strong suspicion that the statements made at the Fatima Interfaith Congress are prophetic in nature, and will never be retracted by the Pope or any other Vatican official. We are already headed well down the road to a one world religion in the name of Christ. The Fatima Interfaith Shrine endorsed by the Catholic Church is just one more sign.

One final question: Will the statements made at the “Future of God” Congress held in Fatima , Portugal in October of 2003 be fulfilled? From a biblical perspective, the answer is, yes. We are living in the very period of time the Bible reveals would occur before the return of Jesus Christ.

It’s one more sign of apostasy involving the Catholic church and Muslims. I don’t see it as my role to educate Catholics on what they ALREADY KNOW but don’t want to admit. The fact they don’t want to ADMIT it, also says something ... and it’s not positive.

Fatima is Mohammad's spiritually wayward daughter and Muslims also worship Mary. Catholics and Muslims have much in common. You may want to calm down "ArrogantBustard" or whatever his name is and point out that Bible based Christians don't buy into this garbage. The arrogant and ignorant name calling on behalf of this "ArroganBustard" are NOT appreciated. His accusatory and nasty tone to me are what he tries to accuse ME OF. True hypocrisy at work on behalf of "ArrogantBustard". The hope of Christians is in CHRIST. Not Mary. Not Fatima. Hope is in Christ - He alone died for our sins - not Mary - not Fatima or any other sinner - CHRIST PAID OUR SIN DEBT. If I was petty, I'd expect an apology from this "ArrogantBustard" but I also know even if one was forced it would NOT be sincere. Belief and hope will continue to be placed with a false prophetess, Fatima etc.. How sad.