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Traditional Catholics attack Fátima interfaith congress
The Portugese News ^ | 09/20/2003

Posted on 11/08/2003 7:54:51 PM PST by Land of the Irish

Traditional Catholics have reacted angrily to the news of a multi-faith congress to be held in Fátima between the 10th and 12th of October. The Shrine of Fátima is one of the most sacred Catholic sites in the world and is where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on six occasions to three peasant children in 1917.

Several of the Pagan and Christian representatives scheduled to attend the congress accompanied Portugal’s President, Jorge Sampaio, when he officially opened the new Alvalade football stadium in Lisbon. After blessing the stadium they were all thanked by the president, an agnostic, who said that their presence in Portugal was even more important than the opening of the stadium itself.

A spokesman for the Shrine authorities in Fátima told The Portugal News that many religions will be represented at the congress, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Anglicanism and the Eastern Orthodox churches. Under the auspices of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) speakers will address the congress on the theme “The Future of God”. It will be very similar to the interfaith meeting convened by Pope John Paul II in Assisi in 1986, where leaders of the world’s religions, including the Dalai Lama, met to pray together and discuss the development of a “One World Religion”.

These interfaith meetings are now held annually and are directed by individuals with strong links to the United Nations (UN). Among them are the former Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev and Sir Sigmund Sternberg, director of the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ). Sir Sigmund has close ties with the Vatican and played a major role in persuading John Paul II to remove a Catholic Carmelite convent from the grounds of the former Auschwitz concentration camp.

According to an 800 page Italian study of the One World Religion movement, entitled La Faccia Occulta della Storia, the history of the WCRP can be traced back to 1993 when Sir Sigmund chaired a Chicago meeting, at which world religious leaders agreed to set up a ‘Parliament of Religions’ (PR). The idea was to form an international authority dedicated to unifying the world’s religions that would constitute a ‘spiritual branch’ of the UN. The ultimate aim of members of PR is to unify the major religions of the world under the umbrella of a UN globalisation programme. In 1994 at the invitation of John Paul II the WCRP met in the Vatican, when 1,000 representatives of 15 different Pagan and Christian religions gathered to agree a plan on joint ecumenical initiatives.

The Fátima congress is seen by many Catholics as an insult to the Blessed Virgin, who during her apparitions at Fátima requested that prayers and penance should be offered to Almighty God for the conversion of the world to Catholicism. A member of the International Group of Catholic Businessmen, Paul Joseph, referred to the October congress as a betrayal of the Catholic faith. Speaking to The Portugal News he said that at Fátima the Virgin Mary had not called for a UN sponsored world religion but for a return to Catholicism.

Author and Fatima historian Arai Daniele told our reporter the October congress bears all the hallmarks of the Biblical prophecy of Jeremias: “Astonishing and wonderful things have been done in the land. The prophets prophesied falsehood, and the priests clapped their hands: and my people loved such things: what then shall be done in the end thereof?” (Jr. 5, 30-31).


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic
KEYWORDS: catholic; ecumenism; fatima
The Fátima congress is seen by many Catholics as an insult to the Blessed Virgin, who during her apparitions at Fátima requested that prayers and penance should be offered to Almighty God for the conversion of the world to Catholicism. A member of the International Group of Catholic Businessmen, Paul Joseph, referred to the October congress as a betrayal of the Catholic faith. Speaking to The Portugal News he said that at Fátima the Virgin Mary had not called for a UN sponsored world religion but for a return to Catholicism.


1 posted on 11/08/2003 7:54:52 PM PST by Land of the Irish
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To: Akron Al; Alberta's Child; Andrew65; AniGrrl; Antoninus; apologia_pro_vita_sua; BBarcaro; ...
Ping
2 posted on 11/08/2003 7:56:09 PM PST by Land of the Irish
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To: Land of the Irish
Bumpus ad summum
3 posted on 11/08/2003 8:34:48 PM PST by Dajjal
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Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: Land of the Irish
The "spirits" of Assissi again!

I continue to be amazed. Surprised, no, but amazed and impressed at how desperate the dark side is to squash the true Faith.

I mentioned on another post the same wheels had been set in motion in Lourdes some time back. Also, a person was recently beatified holding these same beliefs that the path to salvation is wide and all gods are the same, which are the diametric opposite of what is preached in the Gospel and Credo! No more need to be of orthodox Catholic faith to become a saint in the new religion.

The great con job is that all are ok except traditional Catholic Faith. Yet people stubbornly refuse to open their eyes to this simple pure truth. Just look at Matthew 7-13 to 29 and how can one continue to be deceived?

All who disagree please explain why of the weird faiths of the world, these forces approve all, yet stubbornly resist the very core faith of the last 2000 years. Isn't that just a little suspicious?
5 posted on 11/09/2003 4:22:49 AM PST by 8mmMauser (ora pro nobis)
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To: Land of the Irish
(The Blessed Virgin Mary)requested that prayers and penance should be offered to Almighty God for the conversion of the world to Catholicism.

Portugal and Catholicism can do without an agnostic president.

This gathering amounts to desecrating one of the most sacred places on earth.

6 posted on 11/09/2003 4:23:09 AM PST by JesseHousman (Execute Mumia Abu-Jamal)
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To: Land of the Irish
WCRP - These folks have an extensive website with an interesting mailing address - 777 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA, New York 10017, NY.
7 posted on 11/09/2003 8:48:48 AM PST by Telit Likitis
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To: TaurusUK
As events unfold, it seems that Fatima.org's new publication:... 'The Devil's Final Battle' is being vindicated.
8 posted on 11/09/2003 9:06:31 AM PST by harbingr (BVM warned us @ Fatima)
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To: Telit Likitis
Thanks. From their webpage:

Disarmament and Security

"Today, more than a decade into the post-Cold War era, the greatest threats to humanity's survival remain the same ones we have faced for three generations: easy access to the tools of warfare, and the stockpiling and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Though the United States and Russia today aim fewer nuclear warheads at each other than at any time in a half century, new threats continue to emerge. Smaller nations are developing their own arsenals and are purchasing technology from the larger powers. International gun-running enables guerilla forces and terrorists to easily obtain machine guns, grenades, rocket launchers, and bomb-making materials. And the prospect of a missile defense system threatens to weaken international compliance with existing arms-control treaties and spark a new arms race."

"Throughout its 30-year history, Religions for Peace has worked toward the limiting and eventual elimination of nuclear weapons. Recognizing that common security is the key to establishing a worldwide culture of peace, Religions for Peace assists religious communities of every faith in expressing the universal values of co-existence and common survival -- condemning policies that perpetuate the building of weapons, and envisioning a world free from the threat of nuclear annihilation."

"Nuclear Proliferation & Weapons of Mass Destruction: In recent years new nations have shown signs of developing nuclear capabilities, and longtime antagonists India and Pakistan carried out nuclear tests. Meanwhile, the events of September 11, 2001, raised fears that terrorists with access to chemical and biological weapons might wreak havoc with entire populations. For three decades Religions for Peace has worked collaboratively with numerous organizations to strengthen international arms control measures and to encourage all nations to take concrete steps toward the elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. Most recently, Religions for Peace co-sponsored a symposium at UN headquarters in 2000 that reviewed the status of the international Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)."

"Missile Defense: Religions for Peace's Standing Commission on Disarmament distributed a statement to dozens of world leaders during the spring of 2001, urging the United States and other nations to exercise the utmost caution in developing a missile defense system that could destabilize the current international arms control regime. In particular, the statement urged leaders to safeguard the tenets of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in their responses to the experimentation toward and potential deployment of a missile defense system."

"Small Arms: Portable firearms - assault rifles, grenade launchers, and the like - are the most commonly used weapons in warfare today. More than a half-billion of these weapons are currently in use outside of government control, and are blamed for more than 500,000 deaths each year. Religions for Peace recently joined a coalition of organizations in calling on world governments to curb international gun-running, and works with religious communities to reduce the availability of such weapons through voluntary collection programs and sensitization campaigns."

"Religions for Peace has long served as a leader among international NGOs on disarmament issues. The organization is a key participant in major United Nations initiatives, monitoring discussions and exploring the role religions can play in helping to shape coherent arguments for disarmament on moral, ethical and spiritual grounds. Religions for Peace also works with the NGO Committee on Disarmament, coordinating a wide range of informal NGO activities and acting as a communications channel between concerned groups, governments and U.N.-related bodies."

"Religions for Peace is a founder and Publication Committee member of the Disarmament Times, the only independent newspaper devoted exclusively to accurate, objective reporting on arms control and disarmament activities in the United Nations context. The paper reaches a worldwide readership of policy makers, researchers, students, organizations and concerned individuals."

"Religions for Peace also is a member of the Reference Group of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), sharing responsibility for the network's management, governance, and program objectives. IANSA encourages community-based programs that educate citizens about the dangers of small arms; promotes peaceful resolution of conflict among religious communities; and promotes a culture of peace, solidarity and non-violence."

First they'll take our guns; then they'll take our rosaries.

9 posted on 11/09/2003 9:33:59 AM PST by Land of the Irish
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To: JesseHousman; Land of the Irish
Portugal and Catholicism can do without an agnostic president.

They can do without a president, period. What Portugal needs is to restore HRH the Duke of Braganza, a Catholic married with three children, to the throne of its ancient Catholic monarchy, overthrown by a left-wing coup in 1910.

10 posted on 11/09/2003 10:44:00 AM PST by royalcello
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To: Land of the Irish
Traditional Catholics attack Fátima interfaith congress

I am sick of the labels. I am a CATHOLIC, period. I am loyal to the Magisterium in union with the pope. I object strenuously to this "interfaith congress" bull$h!t at Fatima. It is an abomination.

11 posted on 11/09/2003 11:34:20 AM PST by american colleen
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To: TaurusUK
No proof whatsoever that the "top", if by which you mean the Holy Father,has anything to do with this garbage. The Vatican issued Dominus Iesus Christus and has condemned religious syncretism. But I guess that doesn't matter for those who only want to find any excuse to sling mud at the Pope.
12 posted on 11/09/2003 1:45:58 PM PST by Unam Sanctam
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Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: royalcello
I don't know HRH Duke of Braganza but judging by this article perhaps we need a more traditional Duke to lead Portugal (http://kronzer.org/news_dalailama.html). His meeting with the Dalai Lama is more of the same ecumenism that the modernists love and is in line with this latest news on Fatima as an international shrine. The Bishop of Leiria also met with the Dalai Lama. We need another St. Elizabeth of Portugal to lead Portugal.
14 posted on 11/09/2003 3:41:41 PM PST by romncath
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To: romncath
I would think that Dom Duarte's meeting with the Dalai Lama would be rather less disturbing for Catholics than the many ecumenical and inter-religious events in which Pope John Paul II has participated. But unless you're a sedevacantist, John Paul II is still the Pope, and the Bishop of Leiria is still a bishop. And Dom Duarte is still the only legitimate claimant to the throne of Portugal. Since the throne is a secular position, it would seem unfair to hold its would-be occupant to a higher standard than those who are truly responsible for leading the Church.
15 posted on 11/09/2003 8:39:43 PM PST by royalcello
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To: royalcello; Land of the Irish
I'm not a sedevacantist but I am one of those terrible "fanatic extremist" traditionalists that Monsignor Guerra was railing against. As "american colleen" said, though, I consider myself just a Catholic. Before Vatican II there were no such labels, but now there are plenty. Dom Duarte's meeting is less disturbing than the religious leaders of the Church, but it still gives legitimacy to a false religion and would not have occurred before Vatican II. He still is responsible as a Catholic leader to the Catholics of Portugal. Look what bad effect King Henry VIII and his Catholic nobility had on England (not that Dom Duarte is a King Henry, however). Suppose that when Vatican II came around, Dom Duarte rejected it all like Bishop de Castro Mayer or Bishop Lefebvre. Perhaps some of the Portuguese would not be taken in by all the changes in the Church because of his influence as a leader.

I suppose Dom Duarte is in the dark as are most of those who do not see what has really happened to the Church after Vatican II. I was in the dark myself until I started to read about the changes in the Church in traditional periodicals. Thanks to grace of God, The Catholic Family News, The Remnant and the Fatima Crusader (published by that poor old fashioned priest Fr. Gruner), I found out the truth at last. I suppose that if Dom Duarte became a quote "traditionalist" he would be as about well welcomed in Fatima as Fr. Gruner, but it would be nice to see some more traditional leaders in the world.

I have my own impressions of Fatima because my wife and I lived in Fatima for three months early last year. As bad as these interfaith meetings are and which at least in Fatima are not so public, it was still heartening to see the many pilgrims that came there from all over the world, all year round. Our Lady must be pleased that Catholic pilgrims still come there by the millions to pay her homage, but, on the other hand, I don't think she would be pleased to see Her message distorted or for the Vatican modernists to claim that Fatima is now irrelevant. Many people are shocked by events in Fatima, but as Our Lady said "in the end My Immaculate Heart will triumph," and in due time God will take care of the mess just like He did the Arian heresy. It may be through the events that were predicted at Garabandal, Spain, where there will be a warning, miracle and chastisement, but the Church will be restored.

The third secret of Fatima is said to be the great apostasy in the Catholic Church so what is going on in Fatima and elsewhere is not so surprising. God gave a warning and a chastisement in Assisi in 1996, 10 years to the day after the interfaith events at Assisi in 1986 by the Pope, heretics and the pagans. We were on a pilgrimage there in 1998 and we saw the aftermath of the earthquake around the area. It was no accident that several monks and several technicians were killed when the Basilica ceiling fell on top of them during the quake. As St. Padre Pio said, "Pray, hope and don't worry."
16 posted on 11/10/2003 1:30:49 PM PST by romncath (extra ecclesiam nulla salus (outside the Church there is no salvation))
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