I don't know about any of that, but from a research standpoint, such a large body of anecdotal data regarding the supernatural is significant to me and to my understanding.
That the two groups of data don't agree is fascinating, but the family feud thing is disturbing and predictable.
I wonder if maybe it's better to be blind and be innocent?
By far the best is to be imitators of Christ, our true example. Search the NT, and observe how many times we’re admonished to imitate Jesus. For this reason, it really matters whether we see examples of Jesus venerating Mary or not. Since He is our example, if He venerates Mary, so should we. If He refrains, we should refrain. Otherwise the admonition to imitate Jesus is meaningless.
All this extends to Paul as well. Can you point to an example of Paul venerating Mary? If not, how can a person both imitate Paul and venerate Mary? It’s a contradiction.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
The question isn’t so much as to whether something happened at Fatima, but what the source was.
Since the apparition commands several things to be done that contradict Scripture, then it’s a safe bet that it wasn’t of God.
No; it's 'better' to be clear-eyed and UNDERSTANDING.
Thus...
NIV 1 Corinthians 4:6Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.
NIV 2 Corinthians 1:13-14
13. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that,
14. as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.