Posted on 07/27/2004 2:31:06 PM PDT by Saint Athanasius
CLARIFICATION FROM THE RECTOR OF THE SHRINE OF FATIMA
THE CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
WILL NOT BE AN "ECUMENICAL TEMPLE"
1) The readers of "Voz da Fátima" may remember a communiqué from the Rector of the Shrine, published in January of 2004, under the headline "FATIMA SHRINE OF ALL RELIGIONS ?".
2) The movements which came out in opposition to our October Congress, as mentioned in that communiqué, then took advantage of the arrival of a group of Hindus, as reported in "Voz da Fátima" of May 2004, in order to launch a massive new campaign which is anti-ecumenical in character and even against inter-religious dialogue.
3) Because of the letters sent to us asking for explanations, and in order to reply to everyone quickly, we have written this short communiqué. Firstly it restates the well known principles which have already been set out, as to how we receive brothers of other confessions or religions; secondly, it focuses on the two questions now before us: the arrival of a group of Hindus and the destiny of the new Church of the Most Holy Trinity.
4) The Hindu group wrote to us beforehand, saying that they would like "to reconstitute the visit made by Mr. Morari Bapur, which had preceded that of His Holiness Pope John Paul II", in May of 1982.
5) The Hindu priest and a translator whom he brought with him, went up to the image of Our Lady, while the remainder of the group stayed down below.
6) The priest sang a prayer which lasted a few minutes. No gesture was made, no rite was performed, on or off the altar. The translator explained that he had asked "the Most Holy Mother that she would give wisdom and discernment to those who govern nations, so that the world could have peace, peace, peace".
7) We note that this intention of peace, being universal, is the same intention that, in our opinion, has brought to the Shrine other personalities who are not Catholic, such as for instance the Dalai Lama, the President of the Republic of India, and also the wives of President Clinton and President Arafat. Groups of non Catholic Christians also come with the intention of asking for Church unity. Although not with great frequency, some high representatives of the Orthodox Churches have been welcomed in the Shrine. Recently some tens Anglican priests, accompanied by their bishop, held a spiritual retreat in one of the houses of the Shrine.
8) After making their prayer in the Capelinha or Little Chapel of the Apparitions, the Hindu pilgrims were received, in a room, by the Bishop of Leiria Fátima and by the Rector of the Shrine, to whom they said they had come out of devotion towards the "Most Holy Mother". They did not speak about a similarity or transference between this name and any entity of their religion. Little credit, therefore, should be given to the comparisons mentioned by the media, whom we were unable to prepare, because it was late when we found out about their presence.
9) As far as the Church of the Most Holy Trinity is concerned, which they persist in calling an "ecumenical temple", we can state that this description, although susceptible of a catholic interpretation, does not originate from the Shrine. We do not intend and we have never intended to hold any celebrations in the church which is being built, that are not in accordance with the directives prescribed by the Catholic Church. The Shrine strives to be faithful to the message which God has entrusted to it and cannot help noticing the distinctly catholic character which the message inculcates, both in the apparitions of the Angel, which inspired us to choose the title for the future church, and in the apparitions of Our Lady, which contain dramatic references to the mediating role of the Pope and the Bishops, regarding the unity of the Church and for the peace of the world.
10) In the hope that all brothers understand that we desire and pray for the union which is possible between all christians, all believers, and all men, we also raise our prayer to Our Lady of Fatima, that she may strengthen our will for unity and deliver us from all spirit of dissension and controversy.
Shrine of Fatima, June 29, 2004, Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, The Rector, Fr. Luciano Guerra.
But at least this might help them see a little more clearly, but I doubt it... Our Lady of Fatima pray for us.
Ping your lists if you want to...
So... a bunch of non-Catholic pilgrims came to Fatima and prayed to our Lady for peace?
How scandalous!!
p.s. If you really think that the Hindus believe that "The Most Holy Mother" is the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, I've got a bridge in Arizona...
Already posted. Already discussed. Already admitted even by non-traditionalists that this supposed "explanation" by the shrine rector is no explanation at all. Nor does it in any way call into question the veracity of The Remnant or Seattle Catholic or any other traditional Catholic publication. So your slander regarding their honesty is uncalled for.
I know I could have been a little more tactiful, but it is interesting that you use the word slander when that is what those papers do to the Holy Father and several Cardinals and Bishops...
By the way, could you post the link...
Thanks.
JMJ
Did you even read what you posted?
We note that this intention of peace, being universal, is the same intention that, in our opinion, has brought to the Shrine other personalities who are not Catholic, such as for instance the Dalai Lama, the President of the Republic of India, and also the wives of President Clinton and President Arafat. Groups of non Catholic Christians also come with the intention of asking for Church unity. Although not with great frequency, some high representatives of the Orthodox Churches have been welcomed in the Shrine. Recently some tens Anglican priests, accompanied by their bishop, held a spiritual retreat in one of the houses of the Shrine.
Do you remember what the Blessed Mother actually said at Fatima about peace?
Hint: It didn't involve Hillary Clinton or Yassar Arafat.
Pointing the finger at others is no excuse. Right here on this very thread you made accusations of dishonesty that are not supported by the evidence. If you wish to accuse others of slander, then provide the evidence, but in the meantime, don't try to duck your own culpability.
By the way, could you post the link...
Look Maximilian,
those guys are dishonest.... they manipulated facts to fit their version of what is going on with the Church...
I am sorry that you sympathize with them.
Is this what you are refering to?
She promises us: " If my requests are granted, Russia will be converted and there will be peace. "
hmm... Communism in Russia gone... coincidence...
There is nothing wrong praying for peace with non Catholics.
Slightly off topic, but let's dispose of that tired old cannard.
Conversion has nothing to do with a preferred form of govt. I'm not an expert, but I've been told that a pure form of Communism can sometimes be a desireable form of government. That's what the democrats are trying to tell us.
Conversion has strictly to do with the turning of ones heart to God.
"There is nothing wrong praying for peace with non Catholics."
Absolutely right. But they can do it from the pews, and have no reason to breach the Sanctuary. That is left to the Priests of God. Representatives from some phoney religion (and if not phoney, then in opposition to Jesus Christ) certainly have no place on the Altar. Even I, a brother of Jesus, and an adopted son of God, would not deign to conduct a service on His Altar.
If all the Hindus, or whatever they are, did was kneel before a statue of Mary, then I suppose that isn't so bad. But pictures and commentary seem to indicate otherwise.
Maybe all the hubbub over this will prevent even the appearance of impropriety in the future. So maybe it's a good thing.
I am glad for the clarification. I had been deeply alarmed at what I had heard. I do not see the photos from Polycarp's thread as disproving what is stated here; in fact, other posters had used phots from the London Temple in their comments about Fatima, making it seem that these pagan idols were present in the Fatima shrine. Seeing them as they appeared in Polycarp's thread disabused me of this frightening notion.
I do believe the rector of Fatima displayed poor judgment. He essentially entrusted sacred, Catholic space to the intentions of the translator. And he opened himself up to the accusations made by traditionalists that pagan ceremonies had occurred. On the other hand, there is no evidence anything was done which could not have been done by someone wandering around any given Church which does not lock its doors between masses.
His comparison of praying with Hindi and praying with Protestants is unjust and insulting to Protestants. Protestants pray to the same God we do, even if there knowledge of him is somewhat "defective."
That said, this article may go a long way towards making me feel far more comfortable about what has taken place in Fatima. I am scandalized by apostasy, not by unwise decisions by a rector.
You and I think a lot alike...
I agreed with you... he used poor judgement, but it is not what the RadTrads want you to think.
JMJ
LOL... How about Christians and Hindus making pilgrimages to Mecca...
ROFL! I'd rather that Sheridan was sent back to raid the Valley of Virginia than to make pilgrimage to Mecca! Shudder!
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