Replies

Sister Lucia says it has.

You going to believe her, or the fruitcake Gruner?

Editor, The Remnant: The Letter of Dr. Branca Paul as reproduced in your recent article by Mr. Sungenis (02/29/04 Remnant) only states the former’s opinion of what Sister Lucia said; it does not quote what she said. As such, in my opinion, it has no probative value as to what Sr. Lucia actually did say.

I’ve heard a Doctor of Theology support the 1984 consecration on the basis that “an intention to consecrate Russia” suffices to make an act of consecration of Russia valid “no matter what words are used.”

It seems sufficiently apparent that such a humble and obedient and charitable sister as Sr. Lucia, as evidenced over so many years of religious life, would accept the claim that Russia was consecrated on the basis of such an argument – especially if she is being told that there are controversies over her former statements in regard to the non-validity of the consecration of 1984.

In this one needs to suppose no malice or any particular coercive force against her. Nor does her statement make the consecration valid or not. The validity of a consecration is something objective, and it requires that the thing to be consecrated be named, either properly or in with a term(s) referring to it. If the Pope had said, “I consecrate Russia” or “I consecrate that nation which Our Lady asked at Fatima to be consecrated,” or even “I consecrate every nation, all together and each individually,” then one would presume the validity. If “entrust” is used instead or Russia is not named or adverted to in the singular, the no consecration of Russia as a singular nation takes place. Nor can the Pope advert to some prior secret intention of naming Russia under the words, “especially those nations which are most in need…”, as such a public religious act requires a public intention for validity and these words refer to a collective, not to singulars.

God is Truth, and He will not accept as true what is based on error. It is unsound to presuppose the consecration of 1984 as valid in the case of Russia: no testimony for or against by Sister Lucia would change that conclusion, since it depends not on her testimony or even that of some vision or angel, but theological principles and the public acts of the Roman Pontiff, who himself said in public prayer to Our Lady in Rome after this consecration, “the consecration which You still await from us.”

Br. Alexis Bugnolo
Letters to the Editor, The Remnant, April 15, 2004 issue.

Gruner's a nut, though.

Actually, I believe Pope John Paul II, when he said we were still praying and awaiting the Consecration.

I'm not sure why you choose to show disrespect to Fr. Gruner, a consecrated priest, I would say that is not very polite of you.

So Christian of you to come right out of the box with an ugly personal attack.

And so typical.