Dr. Zugibe responds on the Matter of Sr. Lucia and the Consecration of Russia

At the outset, I would like to make clear to Mr. Sungenis and everyone else that my exact question to Sister Lucia was as follows, "Sister Lucia, I want to ask you one question: Was Russia consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary or not, because there is much controversy that it was not done properly?"

However, the manner of Mr. Sungenis' remarks were certainly devoid of humility, comprised of innuendos, unconfirmed conclusions and is literally unchristian. For example, his concluding statement is shocking, "lastly, if 'free will' is the answer to the conversion of Russia, why didn't Sister Lucia mention this in the seventy years previous to this interview? Why did she let the controversy brew into an unrepairable split right down the middle of the Church if, indeed, the remedy was right at our fingertips? For over seventy years she keeps the answer locked up in her mind and then decides to give it to a perfect stranger who somehow gets past everyone else wishing for an interview? This tells us that, either the Vatican has so thoroughly educated Sister Lucia to the age of ecumenism, and/or she is taking on far too much theological responsibility for a cloistered nun of ninety-five years old. Heaven certainly didn't give her the answer of 'free will.' Consequently, we must realize that Sister Lucia is a visionary, not a theologian, not a historian. She is only to be respected and honored insofar as she reveals precisely what Our Lady wanted to tell the world. Outside of that realm, Sister Lucia has no authority or prestige, and indeed, it is wrong of those who force her to be on such a pedestal, Dr. Zugibe and Steven Mahowald included."

Disagreement is fine, but his personal attacks on all those who disagree with him, and attacks on Sister Lucia's credibility, leave me to question his sincerity. I do not believe Mr. Sungenis' statement that. "In July 1989, the screws begin to tighten. Sister Lucia is given explicit instructions from unidentified Vatican operatives ordering her to say that the consecration of Russia was accomplished in the March 25, 1984 ceremony." How dare he impugn Sister Lucia's credibility. When did the Blessed Mother appear to Mr, Sungenis? Sister Lucia was the messenger selected by heaven from among all the people in the world to give and interpret the messages entrusted to her. There is a reason that she was entrusted with such a great responsibility. I am totally convinced of her sincerity and holiness and do not believe any of his allegations suggesting that she was put up to saying that Russia was properly consecrated if it were not true. Her answer was enough for me because it was definitive and pure. She would, otherwise, be guilty of the serious sin of lying if she was coerced to say that Russia was properly consecrated. Does this appear compatible with a person who purportedly was guaranteed heaven...a future Saint? Persons very close to her that I met in Fatima indicated to me that she is still in contact with the Blessed Mother and that Sister Lucia had been informed by the Blessed Mother in 1917 that She would always be with her. In this regard, is it not obvious that if Sister Lucia had been coerced to say that the consecration was properly done, the Blessed Mother would have immediately informed her of her wrong doing.

Mr. Sungenis' accusation "For over seventy years she keeps the answer locked up in her mind and then decides to give it to a perfect stranger who somehow gets past everyone else wishing for an interview?" I would like to reiterate for Mr. Sungenis that I was not a stranger to Sister Lucia as I had been in communication with her via her niece for a personal intention that had been granted to my family. In this regard, her niece had informed them about my work and about my family. So when she and the sisters found out that I would be presenting a lecture on the Crucifixion in Turin to open their Shroud Museum, they invited me to present my lecture to them at Coimbra. However, I was informed that there was a good possibility that Sister Lucia would not be attending. I was delighted when I saw that that she was able to come. I felt honored when we were permitted to talk to Sister Lucia and listen to her stories about her youth after my lecture. When I broached the question as to whether Russia was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, it was only an afterthought since I had not been invited to interview Sister Lucia. If the purpose of my visit had been to interview her, I would have boned up on all of the facts including the controversy. My "afterthought" question was only to find out directly from Sister Lucia if Father Gruner was correct in asserting, that according to Sister Lucia, the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was not properly done. Witnesses to my conversation was my wife, the interpreter and the Marchessa of Cadaval, descendant of Blessed Nuno, Founder of Carmel in Portugal, Royal member of the Portuguese Royal House and patroness of the Convent, several nuns and Dr. Branca Paul, Sister Lucia's physician all of whom speak both English and Portuguese.

Later, I was shown a copy of the letter that the Prioress,, Sister Maria do Carmo wrote to Father Gruner where she said "The reason for this letter is that in the future, please do not include in your pilgrimage's programs, the Holy Mass or other devotion¹s acts in our Convent's Chapel. Excuse, please, but it appears us, with documents, you are not in good relations with Holy Church Hierarchy, which, to us, is fundamental. Besides, you have worn out our hospitality using our External Sisters' words and photos to your propaganda.. Praying for you, in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary."

I was informed that when the Vatican presented its statement on the "third secret," Father Gruner was mentioned by name at the aired Press Conference. It was said that he (Father Gruner) had no legitimacy to speak on the subject of Fatima for the Church.

Mr. Sungenis stated, "Why did she let the controversy brew into an unrepairable split right down the middle of the Church if, indeed, the remedy was right at our fingertips? For over seventy years she keeps the answer locked up in her mind and then decides to give it to a perfect stranger who somehow gets past everyone else wishing for an interview?"

No, Mr. Sungenis, she did not give the answer only to me. She also gave it during the Cardinal Padiyara Interview of 1992 that you made reference to where, in response to the query by Cardinal Padiyara, "When I return home to my Diocese, people will ask me many things among which will be if the consecration of Russia has already been done according to the request made by Our Lady on the 13th of June." Carlos Evaristo added "29." Cardinal Padyara followed by asking, "And, was this accomplished by Pope John Paul II on March 25th of 1984?" Sister Lucia answered, "Yes, yes, yes. (In a low affirmative voice which also seemed to show that she was expecting this question) The consecration was already partially done. Pope Pius XII made it in 1942, on October 31st, but it lacked the union with all the Bishops of the world, which Pope John Paul II, finally managed to unite in 1984." And Sister Lucia further said, that she was present when Pope Paul VI made the consecration at the close of the Second Vatican Council with all the Bishops present but this also did not fulfill Our Lady's request because each Bishop had to be in his own diocese and not united together in one place. Then she affirmed that Pope John Paul sent an invitation to all the Bishops to unite with him and participate in the consecration fulfilling Our Lady's request.

Mr. Sungenis belittled my explanation of "free will" as the answer for the conversion of Russia. In the 1992 Cardinal Padiyara Interview, Sister Lucia was asked "But is the conversion of Russia not interpreted as the conversion of the Russian People to Catholicism?" Sister Lucia responded, "Our Lady never said that. There are many misinterpretations around. The fact is that in Russia, the communist, atheist power, prevented the people from carrying out their faith. The people now have an individual choice to remain as they are or to convert. This they are now free to do, and many conversions are, in fact, taking place; and that man in Russia, unknowingly was an instrument of God in the conversion..." She confirmed that this man was Gorbachev. Remember, the state of morality in the U.S. is not much better than that of Russia with the tremendous number of abortions totaling over 1.4 million / year, pedophilia, prostitution, the shortage of priests, the decrease in the number of Catholics attending Mass, the eliciting of lawsuits on the mention of God in the public square, the increase in "cafeteria Catholics," etc, etc., etc..

Sister Lucia also gave the answer when she was interviewed and videotaped on October 11, 1993 by Cardinal Vidal in the presence of 10 persons, all of whom spoke Spanish with her. In this interview which lasted one hour, Sister Lucia addressed all the issues she had previously explained in 1992 in exactly the same manner. She indicated that the peace promised at Fatima is a peace from the errors of Communist Soviet Union which spread atheism, culturally annihilating countries it took over. She further indicated that the Consecration of 1984 took down this Soviet atheist machine and now people once again have the Peace of free will to choose, that peace is for those of Good Will, like the message of the angels at Fatima, and that those who have no good will, will never be at peace. A video was also aired on January 31st of this year in Europe on a three hour Catholic Talk show "Excalibur" produced by RAI 2 with the participation of Vatican officials who stated that Lucia has spoken and the Pope has carried out what Our Lady requested and nothing else is to be said on the matter.

I believe that Mr. Sungenis' statement, "In fact, it is so unconvincing that I found myself shaking my head in amazement at what the devil will try next to convince the world that all is well, and that the Church is in fine shape.." might better be applied to Mr. Sungenis_ attempts to undermine the credibility of Sister Lucia and the Vatican.

I would like to comment on several other statements in his voluminous article but I believe that I have already spent too much time for naught. Since Sister Lucia receives, and opens all of her own mail (Carmelo De Santa Teresa, 3000 Coimbra, Portugal), I would suggest that Mr. Sungenis direct his questions directly to her because I personally believe that the information given to Sister Lucia was directed by Divine Guidance because of its major significance to the world.

She indicated that the peace promised at Fatima is a peace from the errors of Communist Soviet Union which spread atheism, culturally annihilating countries it took over. She further indicated that the Consecration of 1984 took down this Soviet atheist machine and now people once again have the Peace of free will to choose, that peace is for those of Good Will, like the message of the angels at Fatima, and that those who have no good will, will never be at peace.

They're like the older son, in the Parable of the Prodigal, who exhibited nothing but bitterness and anger.

Mere words are more important to them than reality. The Grunerites should be thanking God for Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and JP II, every night, instead of engaging in endless bellyaching.

...that man in Russia, unknowingly was an instrument of God in the conversion..." She confirmed that this man was Gorbachev.

Dr. Zugibe says goodbye to whatever little credibility he had left.

Regarding the Cardinal Padiyara Interview of 1992, Carlos Evaristo publishes the interview, which he admits was "reconstructed." Among other falsehoods, the "interview" contains a statement by "Sister Lucy" that Mikhail Gorbachev fell on his knees in front of the Holy Father and begged pardon for his sins. This claim is denounced as a total fabrication by papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls. Father Pacheco publishes a repudiation of the bogus "interview." Until Dr. Zugibe, Evaristo’s totally discredited interview was no longer mentioned as "proof" of Sister Lucy’s alleged affirmation that the Consecration has been done.

The Fatima revisionists initially tried to ram the publication of this interview down the throats of the traditionalists. It was exposed by different trads (including Father Kramer), as being so false as to be ridiculous. Even Evaristo admitted to it as "craziness".

You'd think a doctor with so many titles (M.S., M.D., Ph.D.) could do a little better than this. Mr. Sungenis' attempts to undermine the credibility of Sister Lucia and the Vatican.. Nice try Doctor. Mr. Sungenis has defended the credibility of Sister Lucy and destroyed that of Dr. Zugibe. Dr. Quack!!!

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.