An article circulating among traditionalists charges that the sanctuary at Fatima is "to become an interfaith shrine", according to statements at a recent conference:
Delegates attending the Vatican and United Nations (UN) inspired annual interfaith congress "The Future of God", held during October in Fátima, 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 José de Cruz Policarpo.The discerning reader will recognize right away that this is agitprop, a story perhaps with some basis, but spun to the max, in this case by people who have an interest in making the Vatican look as if it were betraying the faith. The Lefebvrites organized a protest at the site; the Grunerite press's representative is appalled that an interfaith conference would be held at Fatima; and the whole thing is sounding through the echo chamber of the rad-trad network.
It looks like the conference was indeed an opportunity for indifferentist talk by some participants, Catholic and otherwise, but fortunately, somebody has thought to ask the Vatican representative Abp. Fitzgerald about the rumors, and he confirms that while Fatima welcomes all people to come, talk of "an interfaith shrine" is 100% bunk.
A retired American guy named Rick Salbato lives in Fatima, putting together his web site about Catholic controversies; he's provided his own take on the affair too.
Well, except for the entirely sentimental connection with the first name of the daughter of Muhammad, why would anyone from those groups go to a place where Catholics believe Mary appeared?
Honestly, there's NOTHING that weirds Protestants out like apparitions. Nothing at all. They'd rather kiss the Pope's foot.
What a silly suggestion!
Well, except for the sentimental connection with the name of Muhammad's daughter what's in it for anyone else?
Believe me, the idea of crafting your interfaith site around a place universally linked with an apparition will only weird out Protestants. They'd rather kiss the Pope's foot than talk about Mary, all in all.
I just knew this wasn't true. Thanks for clearing it up.
Oh come on! You cant be serious. Have you even seen this article and read Fitzgeralds quotes?
www.fatima.org/sprep111303.htm
Right on zenit yesterday--11/25 one could read about the approved shrine to be built. This Congress was held and there are pictures and proof. The Vatican has indeed been moving closer and closer to universalism. Fitzgerald can try and cover things up and say something along the lines its just a interreligious dimension, but if its a church for all religions--whats the difference? Thats called talking out of both sides of your mouth.
Anyhow things like Assisi and the rest have all been leading up to this without a doubt. I respect Trads because they at least see the truth and admit what is happening. Take it from a past Unitarian-Universalist--the Novus Ordo RCC is now Universalist--they can call it intereligious dialogue or whatever New-AGe speak they want to call it--but in the end--Interfaith shrine sums it up.
Sure, I read Vennari's article. Here are the Fitzgerald quotes in it that apparently I should find damning:
"Father Dupuis yesterday explained the theological basis of the establishment of relations with people of other religions."
[which Vennari apparently thinks is a blanket endorsement of everything Dupuis said. It's not.]
"the unity with God is not confined to the people who belong to the Church"
[That's not the way I'd express it, but it's OK. The non-Catholic religions include elements of grace and truth, and these all come from Christ. See _Dominus Jesus_, para. 20.]
"the Church" says Fitzgerald, "is there to recognize the holiness that is in other people, the elements of truth, grace and beauty that are in different religions," and "to try to bring about a greater peace and harmony among people of other religions"
[which, while not a complete description of the Church's relation to other religions, is correct, as far as I can tell]
That's it. Where's the part you object to?
1. I do not believe there is grace and truth to be found in false religions. I was a UU, and once believed all religions led to God--in their own way. I have found this to be a falsehood, that many intelligent people have given in to. It does those lost in those religions no favors. It ignores endless warnings of God in scripture. It breaks the first commandment. The idea that there is truth in all religions is very theosophical and based in the New Age. False religions contain many core similarities--attaining of self-godhood being one main one--ie Nirvana--they do not lead to the One true God. I did not know God until I was saved and knew Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
2. The Great Commission has been essentially cancelled by the Vatican and its leadership. No longer are we to witness to anyone or bring them to Christ, but now they are taught as long as they are "good", there is no need to convert. Catholicism will be an umbrella growing to encompass everyone. Why teach others to seek goodness in false religions? Where does this leave Christ? This is pure indifference and denies Christ.
This Catholic website is what you get.... www.innerexplorations.org
3. I have unbeliever friends who are atheists, Wiccans, Buddhists and New Agers. I care about all of them. I treat them with kindness. The Vatican has turned the gospel into an offense to be so watered down as to be meaningless. As if even standing up for Christ was rude. At all these gatherings they always outlaw proletyzing. They did at Assisi as I read in a St. Anthony's Messenger magazine and at this one too they did. I tell my unbeliever friends about Jesus. I do not participate in their false religions. I do not seek goodness in their false religions. Scripture states over and over without Christ they are lost. So I pray and do my best to bring them to Christ.
4. The idea that Christ has given truths and goodness to false religions of the world is a false Theosophical view of Christ--ie the so called "Cosmic Christ" based in the New Age. It is the false god of invocations--actually Lucifer. I hate to be this direct but being UU as I was...I know now we were not praying to God when we prayed to the spirits of the four winds. This idea of a watered down-pantheistic god of all religions is now being spread by the Vatican.
5. I am an ex-Catholic. I left in 2002. My first step out the door came about realizing the universalism of the RCC after I came to salvation in Christ. I would leave again. Sometimes I do try to discuss these things with other Catholics.
The Trads see what has changed. They know what the Vatican is teaching is different even from historical Catholic Christianity. I left behind the false god of pantheism--the false cosmic Christ of the Theosophical New Age when the Holy Spirit took me out of the UU church. I wasnt going to embrace these deceptions again for the sake of the Pope.
Revelations warns of one world religion---that will be a COUNTERFEIT of Christianity--the so called harlot. This is it...This New Age--"christ" of the truth of all religions.
Ive studied quite a bit of what Fitzgerald has had to say and he does say the word "peace" quite a bit ignoring that the only real peace can be brought by Jesus Christ.
and I think of this verse in Daniel 8:25 "by peace he shall destroy many"
Please think on my words. Read about Theosophy, realize even what they said about bringing all religions together even as early as the 1880s. I studied Theosophy while UU-. Think on these things. I will be praying for you.
Regarding #1: Many, perhaps most, religions have at least one true doctrine: namely, that God exists. It seems inescapable, therefore, that there are *some elements* of truth in those non-Christian religions.
I'm an ex-non-Catholic, and I share your rejection of universalism and religious indifferentism, which you and I know is simply contrary to the Gospel of salvation in Christ. The Church shares it too. That's why I cited the recent document "Dominus Jesus" which reaffirmed the unique role of Christ as savior, against the common errors of indifferentism. If you haven't read it, look it over; you may be glad to see the Church teaching in this matter.
Thanks for remembering me in your prayers!
Though I do respect other religions and customs, I must also say that it would be a tremendous error if Fatima were to become an interfaith site. Our Lady calls for conversion especially through the sacraments which are highly emphesised most in particullarly the Eucharist. We are all called to the fullness of the truth which is only found in it's complete form in the Catholic Church; however as a young Roman Catholic I would welcome anyone from any faith to come to Fatima and experience the peace, joy and love for Our Lady which is without any doubt present here, Mother of us all. We in the Catholic faith have an obligation to love everyone reguardless of there creed but ofcourse we should never compromise our faith and be able to defend it whenever asked. It is very unfortunate to find so many ex-Catholics who have left for so many reasons I encourage everyone wether protestant, or non Christian to look into the Catholic Church. As a revert I can not discribe the peace and joy that I have found in the Catholic Church. There are good Catholic resources on Apologetics and evangelism like St joseph radio, St Joseph communications, St Anthony communications(U.K) or Catholic Answers try them and may God and Our lady Of Fatima bring many home.
God Bless
Jaydan from Gibraltar(Eur)