A reader writes:

Last updated on: December 31, 2014 at 2:27 pm by Mark Shea

A reader writes: 2014-12-31T14:27:59-07:00 Mark Shea

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I teach RCIA, and sometimes sit in on our Confirmation classes that are happening simultaneously. One of the ladies that teaches Confirmation began with an overview of the Marian Apparitions at Fatima. This was nice, but then she started talking about the consecration of Russia, which I had always read was done, and that Sr. Lucia and PJII confirmed this in writing. I mentioned this before she got further, and she basically just sort of ignored me. She also said something to the effect that the Church affirms that we are “obligated” by the messages of these Apparitions. I know we are not bound by private revelation, but she called this “public revelation” even. I’m not sure she knows what she’s saying.

I’m really uncomfortable with this. I know that there is a fringe element with the Church that believes that the institutional Church is covering-up the “true” third secret, and that the consecration was not valid, despite the statements of Sr. Lucia and JPII. The implications of their accusations are not good: for instance, our present Pope (God bless him) is implicated in their accusations. I’m worried that this is sowing seeds of division, and I want to be able to point this lady towards what the truth is. Can you help me?

She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Fatima is emphatically private revelation. Public revelation closed with the death of the apostles.

CCC 66 “The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The consecration of Russia (and the world) was done by Pope John Paul II on March 25, 1984. Sr. Lucia, who oughtta know, said this fulfilled the request Our Lady of Fatima made. Likewise, Sr. Lucia testifed on multiple occasions that the Third Secret revealed in 2000 was what she had written down. You can see it and read Joseph Ratzinger’s interpretation of it here.

I’d recommend three things to get a grip on a) the complexities of private revelation and b) Fatima. For an overview of the fascinating question of private revelation, I’d take a look at Chapter 3 – Private Revelation, Marian Apparitions and Sundry Tales of the Unexplained in Mary, Mother of the Son: Volume 3 – Miracles, Devotion, and Motherhood. I found this to be the single most interesting chapter to research and write and think you will find it helpful. Second, I’d highly recommend Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s A Still Small Voice: A Practical Guide on Reported Revelations, which is all about how to navigate your way around claims of private revelation and separate wheat from chaff. Finally, with respect to the sundry claims of conspiracy that tend to swirl about in fringe circles when it comes to Fatima, I strongly recommend the well-research and accessibly written Fatima for Today by Fr. Andrew Apostoli.

As it happens, I just finished writing a study guide on this book, as well as on The 13th Day and Finding Fatima, so I’ve gotten pretty familiar with the details of this extraordinary event. I have no doubt Our Lady appeared at Fatima. I also have no doubt that some people are filled with conspiracy theories based on their own paranoia. What they show is that no Catholic mistakes Mary for another God but lots of Catholics mistake her for another Pope.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 7, 2011

Who Could Possibly Have Predicted...

Next Post

March 7, 2011 Andrew Sullivan Perfects His Charlie Sheen

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 September 2006 June 2006 July 2005 April 2005 May 2002 April 2002 0000

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz