Benedict XVI Confirms “Third Secret of Fatima” Released in Full, Says Vatican

[irishpatrick]

For me, I always wonder why people care so much about the third secret. We are called to live a Christian life no matter what will come to the world, and we are called to be prepared for our Lord’s Return, which could happen at any time. If we do those two things, the three secrets becomes less urgent for us to understand.

 

[commenter]

For me, I always wonder why people care so much about the third secret. We are called to live a Christian life no matter what will come to the world, and we are called to be prepared for our Lord’s Return, which could happen at any time. If we do those two things, the three secrets becomes less urgent for us to understand.

Speaking for myself, I know there’s always a temptation to focus on other things besides my own ongoing conversion. Keep in mind:

1. The Church’s approval of Fatima as a private revelation only holds for the original message. The Church could not have approved, or disapproved, the many decades of subsequent information, let alone interpretations. Nothing in all Fatima and all private revelations combined adds one word of truth to Scripture, the Catechism, to the Magisterium.
2. As a private revelation, Fatima has helped catch the imagination of some people, and helped them focus on living out the public revelation, and public worship. We should not disdain approved private revelations.
3. There are no “experts” on Fatima, other than the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Not even Sr. Lucia was an expert.
4. Rest assured there will be more “secrets” coming to light in the future. Expect websites to alert you to the censored 4th Secret, which has just come to light, as revealed by the electrician for Sr. Lucia’s convent, who passed it on to the local librarian in 1948, who misfiled it under Gardening until it was providentially found by a devout soul minutes before agents for the papal nuncio arrived in black uniforms, ready to impound this little flower.

That devout lover of roses sneaked the secret out of Portugal, and found her way to the Offices of the **Traditional Alarmist. **Despite threats not to publish it, coming from a certain City on 7 Hills, it will be up on our website next week. We can only tell you now that part of the secret concerns a future Church where there is rampant a trail, and a trial, of ambiguity. Including remarriage and Holy Communion.


ok, forgive my indulging here; I mean no sarcasm, only affection. We could all use the prayers of Lucia, the little girl of faith and humility. And her Guide.

 

[irishpatrick]

Speaking for myself, I know there’s always a temptation to focus on other things besides my own ongoing conversion. Keep in mind:

1. The Church’s approval of Fatima as a private revelation only holds for the original message. The Church could not have approved, or disapproved, the many decades of subsequent information, let alone interpretations. Nothing in all Fatima and all private revelations combined adds one word of truth to Scripture, the Catechism, to the Magisterium.
2. As a private revelation, Fatima has helped catch the imagination of some people, and helped them focus on living out the public revelation, and public worship. We should not disdain approved private revelations.
3. There are no “experts” on Fatima, other than the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Not even Sr. Lucia was an expert.
4. Rest assured there will be more “secrets” coming to light in the future. Expect websites to alert you to the censored 4th Secret, which has just come to light, as revealed by the electrician for Sr. Lucia’s convent, who passed it on to the local librarian in 1948, who misfiled it under Gardening until it was providentially found by a devout soul minutes before agents for the papal nuncio arrived in black uniforms, ready to impound this little flower.

That devout lover of roses sneaked the secret out of Portugal, and found her way to the Offices of the **Traditional Alarmist. **Despite threats not to publish it, coming from a certain City on 7 Hills, it will be up on our website next week. We can only tell you now that part of the secret concerns a future Church where there is rampant a trail, and a trial, of ambiguity. Including remarriage and Holy Communion.


ok, forgive my indulging here; I mean no sarcasm, only affection. We could all use the prayers of Lucia, the little girl of faith and humility. And her Guide.

In what way have I shown disdain for approved private revelations?

 

[commenter]

In what way have I shown disdain for approved private revelations?

I did not say anyone on CAF shows disdain, but some Catholics, in general, might.

 

[tp3192000]

Speaking for myself, I know there’s always a temptation to focus on other things besides my own ongoing conversion. Keep in mind:

1. The Church’s approval of Fatima as a private revelation only holds for the original message. The Church could not have approved, or disapproved, the many decades of subsequent information, let alone interpretations. Nothing in all Fatima and all private revelations combined adds one word of truth to Scripture, the Catechism, to the Magisterium.
2. As a private revelation, Fatima has helped catch the imagination of some people, and helped them focus on living out the public revelation, and public worship. We should not disdain approved private revelations.
3. There are no “experts” on Fatima, other than the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Not even Sr. Lucia was an expert.
4. Rest assured there will be more “secrets” coming to light in the future. Expect websites to alert you to the censored 4th Secret, which has just come to light, as revealed by the electrician for Sr. Lucia’s convent, who passed it on to the local librarian in 1948, who misfiled it under Gardening until it was providentially found by a devout soul minutes before agents for the papal nuncio arrived in black uniforms, ready to impound this little flower.

That devout lover of roses sneaked the secret out of Portugal, and found her way to the Offices of the **Traditional Alarmist. **Despite threats not to publish it, coming from a certain City on 7 Hills, it will be up on our website next week. We can only tell you now that part of the secret concerns a future Church where there is rampant a trail, and a trial, of ambiguity. Including remarriage and Holy Communion.


ok, forgive my indulging here; I mean no sarcasm, only affection. We could all use the prayers of Lucia, the little girl of faith and humility. And her Guide.

The Magisterium approved the private revelation at Fatima. There are people who know much more than the ordinary about events surrounding Fatima; these people are called experts. Sr. Lucia certainly was an expert; how can you say she was not? She was there in the presence of Our Lady.

The Virgin Mary spoke to us at Fatima. The Virgin Mary is in total unity with her Son and the Holy Spirit. She spoke to us at Fatima and you say that she does not add one word of truth to our faith?

There is more to be learned about Fatima in the future as not everything has been revealed and I am not speaking about a third or fourth secret. Maybe we will learn why JPII did not specifically mention Russia by name when he consecrated the world to our Blessed Mother. And why did our former Holy Father Benedict XVI speak out about this third secret issue in a purported interview?

 

[commenter]

The Magisterium approved the private revelation at Fatima. There are people who know much more than the ordinary about events surrounding Fatima; these people are called experts. Sr. Lucia certainly was an expert; how can you say she was not? She was there in the presence of Our Lady.

The Virgin Mary spoke to us at Fatima. The Virgin Mary is in total unity with her Son and the Holy Spirit. She spoke to us at Fatima and you say that she does not add one word of truth to our faith?

There is more to be learned about Fatima in the future as not everything has been revealed and I am not speaking about a third or fourth secret. Maybe we will learn why JPII did not specifically mention Russia by name when he consecrated the world to our Blessed Mother. And why did our former Holy Father Benedict XVI speak out about this third secret issue in a purported interview?

When the Magisterium approves a private revelation that means it is consistent with truth that is already known, through public revelation. It does not add new truths. Keep in mind the Magisterium has approved the original private revelation at Fatima, not necessarily later information, let alone interpretations.
The Catholic Church teaches that the Magisterium is the sole interpreter of revelation. They consult theologians as part of that process. But the Magisterium is the sole expert.

Pope Emeritus may have felt the need to address the issue because someone claimed to have communication with the Pope, that he did not. Perhaps the Pope Emeritus was concerned about people using his name for other agendas. If he had chosen not to respond to the false statements, people would say, “see, Benedict’s silence means it is true”. Personally I hold Benedict’s credibility higher than the professor, and higher than the tabloid website.

 

[GEddie]

It took me a moment to figure out what you mean - am I correct? Is it the place that, when spelled, begins with Me-?

Correct. The one that has now been controversial for over a generation.

 

[patrick457]

An official Vatican response from Pope Emeritus Benedict is an extraordinarily rare thing. This happened very shortly after the original article. If we take it at face value, it would seem to call into question the truthfulness of some very respected Catholic scholars who have nothing to gain from this. It would seem that a nerve has been touched.
onepeterfive.com/on-fatima-story-pope-emeritus-benedict-xvi-breaks-silence/

A brief excerpt:

This statement is received by us with filial respect and love for the Pope Emeritus. And yet, it presents a problem. It conflicts directly with statements we have reported, and accuses us of false “atrribution” and “invention.” It also flatly contradicts our source, Fr. Dollinger, not offering the possibility even of a misinterpretation, but rather, an accusation that the events he recounts are completely fabricated.

It is, in itself, a strangely perfunctory communique, and is presented in a way that prompts questions about its provenance and completeness. It is not a full, unabridged statement from Pope Emeritus Benedict; nor does it bear his signature. We are presented instead with pull quotes attributed to Benedict, and lacking the full context in which they originally appeared. Neither is it given to us to know who conducted this apparent interview with him, or how the questions were phrased.

You know, I was just about to laugh when I read that part. Okay, no, I laughed. Hard. (I know, I’m not a very nice person.)

So are these people really taking for granted that they are - must be - right? They wouldn’t even consider the possibility that they perhaps might have been wrong? Heck, you could really just boil this statement down to ‘We reject this interview because it does not agree with what we say.’

For me, I always wonder why people care so much about the third secret. We are called to live a Christian life no matter what will come to the world, and we are called to be prepared for our Lord’s Return, which could happen at any time. If we do those two things, the three secrets becomes less urgent for us to understand.

For the simple reason that everybody loves secrets. We humans are curious by nature: we just so want to know what’s inside the box.

Much more so if said secret is potentially ‘juicy’. I mean, the first two secrets were essentially a vision of Hell and a prediction of WWII. Could you get more titillating stuff than Hell and war? I think the only thing those may top those two in terms of juiciness is some vivid end-of-the-world stuff. That’s why the Left Behind books sell, as do Nostradamus and all that jazz about the Mayan calendar.

Then comes the third secret with its vision of the pope and various clergy and religious climbing up a mountain with a cross and being shot at. IMHO it was too ‘mundane’ for some peoples’ liking.

 

[commenter]

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

67 “Throughout the ages, there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.”

I would compare private revelations to the music chosen for church services. Some music is “approved” by the Church, which means it does not contradict the content of the Faith. But it shouldn’t teach any new truths. If you are getting your theology from the songbooks, that’s a concern.

But music is very important. The proper song, sung well can touch the heart of some people in church. It may lead them to a deeper appreciation of the liturgy and Scripture. It may lead them to actions of faith, hope and charity, in unity with the Church. Likewise, if private revelations lead people to obedience to Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium, to enthusiasm for evangelism and works of charity, they are good.

 

[J_Peterson]

IMHO it was too ‘mundane’ for some peoples’ liking.

Sometimes I wonder if God is too mundane for these types of people. They need the flashiness of miracles and signs when God is already everywhere in everyday situations. A parent sitting with a sick child is an image of God that even a sun miracle can’t compete with.

 

[JosieN]

You know, I was just about to laugh when I read that part. Okay, no, I laughed. Hard. (I know, I’m not a very nice person.)

So are these people really taking for granted that they are - must be - right? They wouldn’t even consider the possibility that they perhaps might have been wrong? Heck, you could really just boil this statement down to ‘We reject this interview because it does not agree with what we say.’

For the simple reason that everybody loves secrets. We humans are curious by nature: we just so want to know what’s inside the box.

Much more so if said secret is potentially ‘juicy’.** I mean, the first two secrets were essentially a vision of Hell and a prediction of WWII. Could you get more titillating stuff than Hell and war? I think the only thing those may top those two in terms of juiciness is some vivid end-of-the-world stuff. That’s why the Left Behind** books sell, as do Nostradamus and all that jazz about the Mayan calendar.

Then comes the third secret with its vision of the pope and various clergy and religious climbing up a mountain with a cross and being shot at. IMHO it was too ‘mundane’ for some peoples’ liking.

Are you comparing our Holy Mother Mary’s warnings at Fatima with the warnings given by Nostradamus? I do not understand the point you are trying to make. In the end our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will judge us all, Our Holy Mother came to warn us to help us avoid Hell and damnation. For those of us who believe in Hell we take the warnings seriously and hope the third secret has been told as it was given.

The third secret was to be read in 1960, I was told this was because the people would be able to understand it better in 1960, but it was not read until much later. This is the reason for doubting it, not because it was too mundane. Why was there a delay? my guess is we will never know.

 

[JimmyDFG]

I just dislike the attempt to sow distrust between the people and the Hierarchy. Everybody should forget Fatima-related conspiracies and do penance!

IMNAAHO and ICXC NIKA

I totally agree with you GEddie,I was looking for info on the third secret a couple weeks ago and I thought was a “Catholic” site but boy, was I wrong…shocked ( not in a good way )
Just wanted to say to people make sure its a true authentic Catholic site or information

 

[JimG]

This Rock (Catholic Answers Magazine) had an article about the third secret of Fatima:

catholic.com/magazine/articles/secret-no-more

The Vatican website entry on the message of Fatima is here.

 

[pnewton]

Are you comparing our Holy Mother Mary’s warnings at Fatima with the warnings given by Nostradamus?

If you read the context, the only point of comparison was the human propensity for sensationalizing. We could say the same thing about Revelation, or Matthew 24.

 

[RPRPsych]

Correct. The one that has now been controversial for over a generation.

Exactly. Even when the Vatican issues its final ruling (and given the mess that the Fatima-Rapturists are making, that will take some time ) the controversy will probably never die entirely.

 

[RPRPsych]

You know, I was just about to laugh when I read that part. Okay, no, I laughed. Hard. (I know, I’m not a very nice person.)

So are these people really taking for granted that they are - must be - right? They wouldn’t even consider the possibility that they perhaps might have been wrong? Heck, you could really just boil this statement down to ‘We reject this interview because it does not agree with what we say.’

For the simple reason that everybody loves secrets. We humans are curious by nature: we just so want to know what’s inside the box.

Much more so if said secret is potentially ‘juicy’. I mean, the first two secrets were essentially a vision of Hell and a prediction of WWII. Could you get more titillating stuff than Hell and war? I think the only thing those may top those two in terms of juiciness is some vivid end-of-the-world stuff. That’s why the Left Behind books sell, as do Nostradamus and all that jazz about the Mayan calendar.

Then comes the third secret with its vision of the pope and various clergy and religious climbing up a mountain with a cross and being shot at. IMHO it was too ‘mundane’ for some peoples’ liking.

As Christ said: “if they do not believe Moses and the Prophets, they will not believe even if someone comes back from the dead!”

 

[commenter]

Exactly. Even when the Vatican issues its final ruling (and given the mess that the Fatima-Rapturists are making, that will take some time ) the controversy will probably never die entirely.

The Church did issue its final ruling in 1930. The revelations disclosed up to that time are an approved private revelation.

 

[RPRPsych]

The Church did issue its final ruling in 1930. The revelations disclosed up to that time are an approved private revelation.

Sorry for not being clear; I was referring to Medjugorje here!

 

[commenter]

Sorry for not being clear; I was referring to Medjugorje here!

I neglected to see what you were responding to. i do thata lot when im ina rant

 

[patrick457]

Sometimes I wonder if God is too mundane for these types of people. They need the flashiness of miracles and signs when God is already everywhere in everyday situations. A parent sitting with a sick child is an image of God that even a sun miracle can’t compete with.

Exactly. I think so too. I personally think miracles do happen everyday - only many people can’t see them because they’re not flashy. I think we’re sort of conditioned to think that miracles should be big-scale, epic. Kind of like the parting of the sea. But, I don’t know, maybe it doesn’t have to always be that way.

Heck, isn’t transubstantiation itself some kind of miracle? And every hour, somewhere in the world, a Mass is being said, ain’t it?

Are you comparing our Holy Mother Mary’s warnings at Fatima with the warnings given by Nostradamus? I do not understand the point you are trying to make. In the end our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will judge us all, Our Holy Mother came to warn us to help us avoid Hell and damnation. For those of us who believe in Hell we take the warnings seriously and hope the third secret has been told as it was given.

pnewton and RPRPsych sort of got my point. I’m not so much “comparing our Holy Mother Mary’s warnings at Fatima with the warnings given by Nostradamus,” if by that you mean the contents. I’m comparing people’s reception/sensationalization of them.

The third secret was to be read in 1960, I was told this was because the people would be able to understand it better in 1960, but it was not read until much later. This is the reason for doubting it, not because it was too mundane. Why was there a delay? my guess is we will never know.

I think it can be both/and. The long wait fueled the fire, then when the actual thing came out, it wasn’t exactly what many people expected - ergo, it can’t be the real secret.