Gianna Talone Sullivan claims to have visions of the Virgin Mary.
I am not one of those immediate skeptics that thinks that any and all visions or claims of apparitions are de facto frauds if they don’t rhyme with Fatima. With that said, I am not a maroon or a gull a bull. The following strains credulity.
Ms. Sullivan has the distinction of have a achieved a rare kibosh from the local diocese.
On September 8, 2000, the Archdiocese of Baltimore issued a statement with the approval of Cardinal William H. Keeler, indicating that it “finds no basis” for the alleged apparitions and messages of the Blessed Virgin Mary which Gianna Talone-Sullivan claimed to receive during the Thursday evening prayer services at St. Joseph in Emmitsburg.
In the wake of the latest “message” from that seems rather prescient.
Let me stipulate that while I am confident that we will soon be on the receiving end of some very serious biblical comeuppance, I have my doubts as to whether the Blessed Mother would describe things this way. (guvment conspiracy included for no charge.)
Children, for the last 20 years I have oftentimes spoken of “change.” I have told you that there is no time for fear; there is only time for change. You must know by now that I have recently spoken of an arising of “two suns.” When you see the two suns on the horizon, you must know that this is a time of change, a time of this new beginning about which I have spoken to you before. After you see the two suns, there is only a short time before you will see a tremendous change in weather. After this, as you know, there are more changes to come.
Children, God did not create only the Earth. God is the Creator of the cosmos, with its many galaxies, many orbits, different stars and different planets. God is the Creator! There are other planets like earth, far beyond your understanding.
I can tell you this: Even your governments and the Church authorities already have knowledge of the stars aligning and its implications upon you. You must not fear but must be prepared, primarily spiritually.
After awhile, you will see a time when there is another body in orbit around your solar system, coming between Earth and the Sun and leading to tremendous devastation. Approximately 60-70% of the world’s population, as you know it, will cease. Of those who survive, 60% of them could die of disease and starvation.
…
But I can assure you that secretly those in governmental positions around the world and Church authorities all know.
I didn’t know that there would be math involved. Ok, let’s see. multiply six billion by .65. Take the result and divide by…. carry the one … and ummm. Anyway. Lotsa people in the cemetarial suburbs.
Hint to would be pseudo-prophets, the less specific you are the better. Verifiable results are not your friend. I don’t think, although I could be wrong on this, that Jesus uses his mother to send messages with the words “Approximately 60-70%”. Just not catchy enough.
Try for instance “The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.”
Now that has a certain style. “World to blow up Tuesday” just doesn’t have the same ring to it. If you are going to be a doomsday prophet, at least have some style.
July 8, 2008 at 1:32 am
Why is the whole message not present with the comments of the discerning Priest Spiritual Director Fr. Wang? The messages from heaven have always been and continue to be faithfully communicated by the alleged seer, whether or not they are deemed likely to be controversial and a source of mockery, derision, and suffering.
Some have surprisingly uninformed, irresponsibly inaccurate, and mostly subjective theories why the origin of these mystical occurrences related to the Apparitions of Our Lady of Emmitsburg ought to not be supernaturally from heaven.
However, there are others who conclude the mystical events to be false or not supernatural by a way of reasoning whereby their conclusions are derived from one or more of the following:
• concerns
• difficulties
• claims of findings of “no basis” and “negative elements”
• statements that they are “unable to support the message”
• findings of “elements that cannot be positively reconciled with the teaching of the Church”
While this is only a partial list, most of the conclusions arrived at by the ideas in this list, use as justification a certain teleological prognostication, a nebulous calculus on the faith and morals or implications of what has been said by Our Lady, Our Lord, and/or God the Father. Using this method, they believe it to be indicated that the events might be or are in error by the possible future consequences or predicted proportions. This methodology or reasoning is not dissimilar – but is akin – to the notions of consequentialism and proportionalism refuted and denounced by Pope John Paul II in the Encyclical “Veritatis Splendor” (The Splendor of Truth, 1993; VS 71-83). A calculus of predicted consequences or proportional results neither truth nor error make. To my knowledge there has not been anyone who has positively demonstrated any concrete error against the dogmas of faith or morals of the Catholic Church – this includes the Commission of Enquiry, clerics, theologians, laypersons, unbelievers, and believers.
Never has the claim of “finds no basis” been shown to positively indicate actual error in contradiction to the teachings of the Church on faith or morals.
It has been claimed by one that this blog contains what saner minds are saying. It is hoped that the “Creative Minority” in intellectual honesty with no lack of objectivity does not create its own truth, capitulating to the temptation of compromising in retreat to an improper subjective mentality.
The creative associations and interpretations seem to be digressing further and further from the actual message, to the point where the actual message is not being referenced, let alone accurately. Our Lady of Emmitsburg has said, “I am here to help you, not to be shunned by you.”
Anonymous Seminarian, reviewing the wording of the documents reveals Baltimore did an investigation and Cardinal Keeler sought guidance as to his authority on the matter. The visionary was not “silenced” other than the decree statement: “I hereby declare that in this case, constat de non supernaturalitate. Accordingly, there is to be no public activity in the churches, oratories and other properties of the Archdiocese of Baltimore relating to the alleged apparitions and locutions.” Private activities were not restricted and public activities not on Church properties were also not restricted. Your other statement “threatened with excommunication” and so forth is not true. If you believe this, please produce the document references. Perhaps you have been misled by some uniformed person at the seminary. Please take care not to be a source of defamation of character. Are you a priest now?
Rene – what do you mean “nipped this in the bud.” Perhaps you associate with only the unbelievers because at every daily mass at St. Joseph’s there are many believers. At the Saturday morning mass it is like half or more. If you really knew about the investigation, you might just deem it a travesty of justice. It is hoped that no such a proceeding happen to you or any one you know. Just for instance, none of the three principal investigators ever availed themselves to be present at one of the ongoing alleged apparitions first hand. In fact, after an initial interview of the visionary lasting say four hours there was never another interview or request for any clarifications. Not from the seer or her many priest Spiritual Directors and Advisors over the years since 1989. It seems to me reasonable that a thorough investigation would have sought some clarification or asked some questions given the sheer mass of material, testimonies, messages, etc.
How can it be reconciled that making direct acts in spreading unconscionable ruinous calumny and defamatory aspersions contained in obviously uninformed and incomplete media accounts conforms to the truth of what our Lord said: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
July 8, 2008 at 2:12 am
The Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary at the Center of the Immaculate Heart (Emmitsburg, Maryland) presents the most comprehensive and accurate information on Our Lady of Emmitsburg and the related. All the public messages – unexpurgated – are present in the archives there and can be searched by keyword and phrase or looked up by date. Further, there are present some explanations for the interested. It is surprising that there seems to be no reference to the definitive information found there.
July 8, 2008 at 2:17 am
“Perhaps you associate with only the unbelievers because at every daily mass at St Joseph’s there are many believers.”
I don’t believe what’s happening at Emmitsburg is supernatural, but I believe in the Catholic Faith. Pray tell me, am I a “believer,” or an “unbeliever”?
July 8, 2008 at 2:46 am
David, yes, right. I apologize and should have defined that I meant with respect to the alleged apparitions. It seems to me that you could say I do not believe in the authenticity of the alleged apparitions and associated. That does not make you a non-believer or unbeliever in God, His Son, the teachings of the Church on dogma, faith, and morals. Actually, there is a great deal written on it.
With respect to private revelations what are the rights of Catholics? Are they free to believe? First, it seems appropriate that an understanding of what is meant by ‘public’ and ‘private’ revelation be made clear. The Very Reverend Adolphe Tanquerey, S.S., D.D. nicely distinguishes between ‘public’ and ‘private’ revelation in his 1923 book, “The Spiritual Life”:
1490. A) Difference between Public and Private Revelations. Divine revelation in general is a supernatural manifestation by God of a hidden truth. When such a manifestation is made directly, in behalf of the whole Church, it is called public revelation; when it is made to private individuals for their own welfare or that of others, it is called private revelation. Here we speak only of the latter.
Private revelations have been made in every age: Holy Scripture and the process of canonization furnish us with abundant examples. These revelations do not form a part of Catholic faith, which rests solely upon the deposit of truth confided to the Church for interpretation. Hence, there is no obligation for the faithful to believe them. Even when the Church approves them she does not make them the object of Catholic faith, but as Benedict XIV states, she simply permits them to be published for the instruction and the edification of the faithful. The assent to be given them is not therefore an act of Catholic faith, but one of human faith, based upon the fact that these revelations are probable and worthy of credence. …
(“The Spiritual Life – A Treatise on Ascetical and Mystical Theology”, Re-published by photographic reproduction in 2000 by TAN Books and Publishers, Inc. by arrangement with Gedit Editions S.A., pp. 700-701)
With respect to belief in the alleged apparitions Our Lady of Emmitsburg and the associated, Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, English Translator of collected writings: St. Teresa of Avila & St. John of the Cross; Member of the Institute of Carmelite Studies; Vice Postulator for the Canonization of Saint Edith Stein; and current Spiritual Director of Gianna Talone-Sullivan, wrote in a Letter to the Editor of the Emmitsburg Dispatch dated 8/18/05:
An authentic vision is a charism or a charismatic grace. These graces are given to an individual or a group primarily for the spiritual good of others or for the Church as a whole. Nobody is required to believe in these visions of others, nor are they to be ever pressured into believing private revelations….The recipient of the apparitions and revelations at Emmitsburg is a good practicing Catholic and has been exemplary in her obedience to the decree of the Cardinal. …[Fr. Kavanaugh concludes regarding believers in Our Lady of Emmitsburg:] It is therefore not a matter of sin or disobedience for the faithful to incorporate this devotion in their private prayer lives.”
Also, regarding placing belief in private revelations, Fr. Albert Hebert, S.M. is often cited. He published several books of his own verse and also wrote numerous works on spiritual topics, including books on mystical and religious phenomena. Fr. Hebert illuminates the topic in his book “The Tears of Mary – And Fatima” (1983):
“What therefore are the rights of individuals, who are convinced of the authenticity of a certain private revelation and mission of the claimant recipient, and who then learn that the local Bishop has given out a statement to the effect that nothing “supernatural” has occurred, or there is no reason for such belief? In such a case a … well-informed priest or layman may simply respond: ‘The Church does not oblige me to accept a judgment as true when a local Bishop, declares a particular revelation to be credible.’ That is because it is not a matter of divine Catholic Faith, and in this area, that of private revelations, the judgment of the Bishop is not objectively infallible….In a word, if a Catholic is free to disbelieve what a particular Bishop states is credible, then also an informed Catholic can personally believe in a particular private revelation, which another particular Ordinary declares is not worthy of human credence.”
In light of these writings, in the absence of a condemnation indicating that a particular private revelation is concretely contrary or positively in error with respect to Church teaching and tradition on dogma, faith, and morals, or there exists no official Church condemnation for any other reason, an informed Catholic can personally believe in a particular private revelation – as I do with respect to Our Lady of Emmitsburg. But of course you are free to not believe them as well.
I would also like to suggest the reading of the Vatican Document: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “The Message of Fatima – Theological Commentary”, 2000. There, the now Pope Benedict XVI who in 2000 as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote a “Theological Commentary” associated with the “making public the third part of the ‘secret’” of Fatima that addresses public and private revelation. One section of that commentary is comprehensive and clarifying with respect to public and private revelation. It is rather long and I feel to not quote it in at length would be to take it out of context.
But, also from the “making public the third part of the ‘secret’” of Fatima, Archbishop Bertone, who was then Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith wrote:
“…Throughout history there have been supernatural apparitions and signs which go to the heart of human events and which, to the surprise of believers and non-believers alike, play their part in the unfolding of history. These manifestations can never contradict the content of faith, and must therefore have their focus in the core of Christ’s proclamation: the Father’s love which leads men and women to conversion and bestows the grace required to abandon oneself to him with filial devotion….” [“The Message of Fatima – Introduction”, 2000]
July 8, 2008 at 4:20 am
Patrick,
I’m sorry, you did at least have a link to The Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. In your sentence:
In the wake of the latest “message” from that seems rather prescient.
The word message came up a bit dimmer on my browser and I did not realize the hyperlink was there. It resolves to the url that has the following:
Public Message
Our Lady of Emmitsburg
To the World
through Gianna Sullivan
June 1, 2008
My dear little children, praised be Jesus!
Little ones, thank you for coming to pray. Know how much God loves you. He has given you tremendous gifts.
Children, for the last 20 years I have oftentimes spoken of “change.” I have told you that there is no time for fear; there is only time for change. You must know by now that I have recently spoken of an arising of “two suns.” When you see the two suns on the horizon, you must know that this is a time of change, a time of this new beginning about which I have spoken to you before. After you see the two suns, there is only a short time before you will see a tremendous change in weather. After this, as you know, there are more changes to come.
Children, God did not create only the Earth. God is the Creator of the cosmos, with its many galaxies, many orbits, different stars and different planets. God is the Creator! There are other planets like earth, far beyond your understanding.
I can tell you this: Even your governments and the Church authorities already have knowledge of the stars aligning and its implications upon you. You must not fear but must be prepared, primarily spiritually.
After awhile, you will see a time when there is another body in orbit around your solar system, coming between Earth and the Sun and leading to tremendous devastation. Approximately 60-70% of the world’s population, as you know it, will cease. Of those who survive, 60% of them could die of disease and starvation.
Prayer is the answer! Prayer can mitigate much of anything to come. Love and unity must be at the forefront, not survival of the fittest. But I can assure you that secretly those in governmental positions around the world and Church authorities all know. As your Mother and with you as children of God, it is my duty to forewarn you and to draw you to my Son for protection.
Look not too far before you will see two suns. Make my words known to all people: Life is important because God loves you. Those who are in control of the financial world think differently. But I your Mother know what true Life is!
So prepare, spiritually prepare. You will always be with my Son if you trust. God has a special plan, a new beginning! Look to Him; and do not fear, but love with all your heart.
I look to you, and I answer your prayers. Even if you are a sinner, and even if you were wrong, I come for your intercession. Now you must remove your “self” from your desires and look to help all people.
Peace to you (fading whisper).
Reflection by Fr. John B. Wang
Our Heavenly Mother is issuing an extremely serious warning concerning coming cataclysmic events as She outlines the scenario. It seems that our Creator will soon renew, remodel or reshape the earth and its inhabitants as predicted repeatedly for many years. Now the designated time has come. The process will be drastic and painful, but the end result will be glorious and paradisiacal. Death and destruction will be followed by a new world, a new society and a new humanity of love, faith, peace and harmony.
Our Mother and Queen tells us not to fear, but to trust in God’s Wisdom and Love. We should be concerned about our eternal salvation more than our temporary survival, our spiritual life more than our earthly existence. PRAYER IS THE ANSWER. So pray, pray, pray! Prayer can mitigate what is to come. Be spiritually ready and prepared. Spread this important message to help all people.
Please note: Prayer can mitigate much of anything to come…prayer is the answer, prayer is an answer…Prayer can mitigate much of anything to come….
Perhaps because of prayer and free will outcomes become conditional (as at Ninevah – see St. John of the cross on prophecy in the Ascent of Mount Carmel as translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, Dr. Gianna Sullivans current spirtual director and Rodriguez). I do not think Our Lady of Emmitsburg, the Mother of God, wants us to be stressing the mathematics of outcome right now but would like us to pray and to be prepared, primarily spiritually.
July 13, 2008 at 12:02 am
Unity, Division, & Truth
A rationale often used in justification to ignore or renounce any conscionable personal responsibility regarding the mystical events related to Our Lady of Emmitsburg and their possible credence involves the combined notions of unity and division. Some argue that the validity of the mystical occurrences can be ascertained by whether or not, or the degree to which, there is division. This method of justification cannot in and of itself be reasoned to be conclusive evidence. Nor can one invoke the preservation of unity as a universally accepted principle applicable to the denunciation of the mystical occurrences related to Our Lady of Emmitsburg. In fact, the issue calls to mind the situation with Caiaphas the High Priest at the time of Jesus after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead:
“Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him.” (NAB Jn 11:45-53)
In the supernatural sense: Caiaphas prophesized. But did he understand the prophecy of God from his own mouth in its full supernatural sense as did John? It could at least be said that there could have been a natural worldly understanding. Since the Pharisees indicate that they are anxious that their “land and …nation” may be taken away by the Romans because of belief in Jesus, it can be conceived that a worldly interpretation may be proposed. It would be something like: “Out of a concern for well being, solidarity, and unity, it was better that one should die (or perish) than they lose their political standing, religious position, political and religious power, and material land and nation.” Morally, it seems this motivation would not be just in the judgment to kill Jesus. This is reminiscent of a passage from the Encyclical “Humanae Vitae” (Of Human Life, Pope Paul VI, 1968):
“In truth, if it is sometimes licit to tolerate a lesser evil in order to avoid a greater evil or to promote a greater good, it is not licit, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil so that a good may follow therefrom that is, to make into the object of a positive act of the will something which is intrinsically disorder, and hence unworthy of the human person, even when the intention is to safeguard or promote individual, family or social well-being.” (HV 14)
Also, Pope John Paul II has an insight in his May 25, 1995 Encyclical “Ut Unum Sint – On Commitment to Ecumenism”. This insight can be extended in application to what is being developed here. Although he is addressing unity between Catholic and non-Catholic Christians it can be shown to be relevant to these considerations on unity and division. Regarding “compromise” at the “expense of the truth”, in a section entitled, “The fundamental importance of doctrine,” he makes an adroit point:
“…In matters of faith, compromise is in contradiction with God who is Truth. In the Body of Christ, “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6), who could consider legitimate a reconciliation brought about at the expense of the truth? …” (UUS 18)
It seems it could also be said, “For the preservation of unity or the avoidance of division it is not a legitimate solution to compromise at the expense of the truth.”
Also, in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Reconciliatio et Paenitentia” (Reconciliation and Penance, December 2, 1984), John Paul II comments on unity, division, and the need for reconciliation within the Catholic Church.
“To the people of our time, so sensitive to the proof of concrete living witness, the church is called upon to give an example of reconciliation particularly within herself. And for this purpose we must all work to bring peace to people’s minds, to reduce tensions, to overcome divisions and to heal wounds that may have been inflicted by brother on brother when the contrast of choices in the field of what is optional becomes acute; and on the contrary we must try to be united in what is essential for Christian faith and life, in accordance with the ancient maxim: In what is doubtful, freedom; in what is necessary, unity; in all things, charity.” (REP 8)
So to achieve proper reconciliation it might be said, “We are to strive for charity in all things, unity in what is essential and necessary for Christian faith and life, and grant each other freedom in what is doubtful.”
Another saying of Jesus with respect to peace and division is found in the Gospel of Luke:
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! This is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” (NAB Lk 12:49-53).
And, praying to the Eternal Father at the last supper, Jesus prays for “…those whom you (God the Father) gave me out of the world…I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours …” (NAB Jn 17:6,9). He then goes on to pray “…Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are” (NAB Jn 17:11). While this sense of unity is attained through the prayer of Jesus, political or social or world peace is not.
With these things in mind, we seek to live the unity prayed for by Jesus at the last supper among those whom God the Father has given Jesus out of the world. However, it is also clear from Jesus that there will be division that He Himself established. In any case, it seems that there still exists the temptation of the worldly understanding of Caiaphas’ prophecy. The temptation might be stated something like, “It is tempting to say that ‘one should perish’ for the preservation of unity or the avoidance of division, for political and/or religious power or office, and possibly for situations where grave material well being may be lost.” We ought to take great care not to fall into acting on the temptation to subordinate the truth for the preservation of insubordinate values. Likewise, we ought not to hastily condemn the mystical occurrences surrounding the alleged apparitions of Our Lady of Emmitsburg to Gianna Talone-Sullivan in an arbitrary and capricious way for the sake of convenience. Any just condemnation would be established and grounded in most certain and right reason and the truth. That has not been found to be the case.
It should be noted here that the Archdiocese of Baltimore has not condemned the apparitions or the other mystical events connected to them. They have issued the Decree, “constat de non supernaturalitate”, directed that activities related to the alleged apparitions not be conducted on Church property in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and have otherwise made brief and few comments.
July 13, 2008 at 2:09 am
“It should be noted here that the Archdiocese of Baltimore has not condemned the apparitions or the other mystical events connected to them. They have issued the Decree, “constat de non supernaturalitate”, directed that activities related to the alleged apparitions not be conducted on Church property in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and have otherwise made brief and few comments.”
I see your problem. You produce enough verbage in your comments, so as to miss the obvious. “Constat de non supernaturalitate” is not exactly the Good Housekeeping seal, okay?
This isn’t my blog. You can write to your hearts content. But START with what’s right in front of you, go from there, and you might be taken seriously by the skeptic.
Even Elijah settled for “the still small voice.” You might look into that yourself.
July 14, 2008 at 12:31 am
David, I would characterize my personal prayer life as ever striving to dwell more fully in gentle loving attentiveness on God, being open always to “the still small voice”.
Regarding your other comment on “constat de non supernaturalitate” I have given it some considered thought over several years. I think that some background on “Concience & Freedom” and ecclesial authority give insight:
Conscience & Freedom
A better understanding concience and ecclesial authority can be gained by reading a couple essays by Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope)and a book on Ratzinger’s thought by Vincent Twomey. Gaining a better understanding of the role of conscience with respect to our personal responsibility as believers in Jesus, whatever our position or state in life, can be a watershed for us. I here attempt to try to articulate the significance of this understanding as it relates to the situation of Emmitsburg.
D. Vincent Twomey, S.V.D., in his book, “Pope Benedict XVI – The Conscience of Our Age –A Theological Portrait” (Ignatius Press 2007), comments on the thoughts of the Pope Benedict XVI on conscience with respect to Church hierarchy. In a section entitled, “Conscience in the exercise of episcopal authority” he says:
“…Ratzinger affirms: “Christ governs through conscience, by way of [his followers’] consciences. Christ is able to exercise governance over the Church much more effectively the more open and pure are the consciences of those to whom is entrusted the care of their flocks.” (p. 90 – Quote from Cardinal Ratzinger, Wahrheit, Werte, Mact: Prüfstein der pluralistischen Gesellschaft – Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder, 1993)
And, in a Cardinal Ratzinger quote that can be applied to Bishops,
“(Bishops should work) …towards consciences becoming more enlightened and thus on the basis of truth more free. It is only in this way that the true liberation of mankind to which the Church is summoned can be accomplished.” (pp. 90-91. Quote from Cardinal Ratzinger’s book Church, Ecumenism and Politics: New Essays in Ecclesiology, London: Saint Paul; New York: Crossroad; 1988).”
Twomey further clarifies:
“The Episcopal structure of the Church is part of her divinely constituted, apostolic nature and refers quite specifically to the personal responsibility of each bishop both for his own particular Church and for the universal Church, a responsibility he cannot abrogate to any collective body, though he exercises it in communion with his fellow bishops throughout the world. More specifically, it “is in governing the particular Church that the bishops share in governing the universal Church, and not otherwise.” (pp. 91-92. Quote Ratzinger – CEP)”
He then adds, again in citation to Cardinal Ratzinger,
“Since conscience is where faith dwells, “both the local and the universal Church are most fully represented by someone who follows his …conscience…. Hence hearkening to one’s conscience contributes more to genuine ‘representation’ than majority decisions that are often prepared by few and accepted by many more for the sake of peace than out of any deep inner conviction.” (p. 92, Quote Ratzinger – CEP)”
Considering these statements by Twomey on ecclesial authority from the thoughts of then Cardinal Ratzinger and now Pope Benedict XVI it is hoped that all Bishops – and all followers of our Lord – work most attentively toward informed, open, pure, and enlightened consciences and “thus on the basis of truth (become) more free.” This should be an ardent prayer.
A few citations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on conscience that seem here appropriate are:
Conscience is a judgment of reason by which the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act. (CCC 1796)
Faced with a moral choice, conscience can make either a right judgment in accordance with reason and the divine law or, on the contrary, an erroneous judgment that departs from them. (CCC 1799)
Man has the right to act in conscience and in freedom so as personally to make moral decisions. “He must not be forced to act contrary to his conscience. Nor must he be prevented from acting according to his conscience, especially in religious matters.”53 (CCC 1782, 53Dignitatis humanae, H 3 # 2)
Another thinker on conscience is he who became Pope John Paul II. He authored a book using his name Karol Wojtyla originally published in 1960 with a second edition Published in 1981 entitled “Love and Responsibility”. It is one of my favorite books. He there says something which may be related to our responsibly to inform our consciences and the resentment that can arise should we be slothful to do so:
“Resentment arises from an erroneous and distorted sense of values. It is a lack of objectivity in judgement and evaluation, and it has its origin in weakness of will. The fact is that attaining or realizing a higher value demands a greater effort of will. So in order to spare ourselves the effort, to excuse our failure to obtain this value, we minimize its significance, deny it the respect which it deserves, even see it as in some way evil, although objectivity requires us to recognize that it is good. Resentment possesses as you see the distinctive characteristics of the cardinal sin called sloth. St Thomas defines sloth as ‘a sadness arising from the fact that the good is difficult’. This sadness, far from denying the good, indirectly helps to keep respect for it alive in the soul. Resentment, however, does not stop at this: it not only distorts the features of the good but devalues that which rightly deserves respect, so that man need not struggle to raise himself to the level of the true good, but can ‘light-heartedly’ recognize as good only what suits him, what is convenient and comfortable for him. Resentment is a feature of the subjective mentality: pleasure takes the place of superior values. (Love and Responsibility, English translation copyright 1981 by William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd., London and Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Inc., New York; Quote from 1981 reprinting by Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1993).”
With respect to these comments, we do well to be on guard not to accede to the temptation out of weakness of will to become slothful in informing our consciences in the truth. By not choosing the illusory comfort we might believe is available through avoiding the difficult work and effort we see is involved in informing our consciences, we avoid the effects of the resentment that can arise. Thus, we will not fall into the subjective mentality which seems so prevalent today. And thereby as well, not insubordinate the good of an informed conscience to the perceived illusory pleasure we believe would result by avoiding the work and effort we know will be involved in properly, personally, and responsibly informing our consciences.
And, Knowing what we do now about the thinking of then Cardinal Ratzinger on ecclesial authority, his conviction regarding ecclesial authority of bishops as well as every Cristian could, in a sense, be summarized, “Every Cardinal, bishop, priest and believer must act in accordance with our informed, open, pure, and enlightened and good consciences as a personal responsibility which cannot be abrogated to another for it is in this way the Lord has set up the ecclesial structure of authority in His Church.”
Unlike official teachings of the Church on dogma, faith, and morals, in this case, Cardinal Keeler’s judgment is not to be understood as infallible. Even though Our Lord works through the consciences of believers, the judgment of conscience can be erroneous, it can be fallible. Case in point in proof, we need just consider one nefarious and ignoble example: Nestorianism. Nestorius was the Bishop who had the “Nestorian” heresy named after him, a heresy which involved the idea of separating the unity of the humanity and divinity in the person of Jesus.
The Encyclical “Vertatis Splendor” (The Splendor of Truth, August 6, 1993) further illuminates some things about conscience. For instance, regarding fallibility and the possibility of an erroneous conscience:
***
“62. Conscience, as the judgment of an act, is not exempt from the possibility of error. As the Council puts it, “not infrequently conscience can be mistaken as a result of invincible ignorance, although it does not on that account forfeit its dignity; but this cannot be said when a man shows little concern for seeking what is true and good, and conscience gradually becomes almost blind from being accustomed to sin.” In these brief words the Council sums up the doctrine which the Church down the centuries has developed with regard to the erroneous conscience.
Certainly, in order to have a “good conscience” (1 Tim 1:5), man must seek the truth and must make judgments in accordance with that same truth. As the Apostle Paul says, the conscience must be “confirmed by the Holy Spirit” (cf. Rom 9:1); it must be “clear” (2 Tim 1:3); it must not “practise cunning and tamper with God’s word”, but “openly state the truth” (cf. 2 Cor 4:2). On the other hand, the Apostle also warns Christians: “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2).
Paul’s admonition urges us to be watchful, warning us that in the judgments of our conscience the possibility of error is always present. Conscience is not an infallible judge; it can make mistakes. However, error of conscience can be the result of an invincible ignorance, an ignorance of which the subject is not aware and which he is unable to overcome by himself.
The Council reminds us that in cases where such invincible ignorance is not culpable, conscience does not lose its dignity, because even when it directs us to act in a way not in conformity with the objective moral order, it continues to speak in the name of that truth about the good which the subject is called to seek sincerely.
63. In any event, it is always from the truth that the dignity of conscience derives. In the case of the correct conscience, it is a question of the objective truth received by man; in the case of the erroneous conscience, it is a question of what man, mistakenly, subjectively considers to be true. It is never acceptable to confuse a “subjective” error about moral good with the “objective” truth rationally proposed to man in virtue of his end, or to make the moral value of an act performed with a true and correct conscience equivalent to the moral value of an act performed by following the judgment of an erroneous conscience. It is possible that the evil done as the result of invincible ignorance or a non-culpable error of judgment may not be imputable to the agent; but even in this case it does not cease to be an evil, a disorder in relation to the truth about the good. Furthermore, a good act which is not recognized as such does not contribute to the moral growth of the person who performs it; it does not perfect him and it does not help to dispose him for the supreme good. Thus, before feeling easily justified in the name of our conscience, we should reflect on the words of the Psalm: “Who can discern his errors? Clear me from hidden faults” (Ps 19:12). There are faults which we fail to see but which nevertheless remain faults, because we have refused to walk towards the light (cf. Jn 9:39-41).
Conscience, as the ultimate concrete judgment, compromises its dignity when it is culpably erroneous, that is to say, “when man shows little concern for seeking what is true and good, and conscience gradually becomes almost blind from being accustomed to sin.” Jesus alludes to the danger of the conscience being deformed when he warns: “The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Mt 6:22-23). [VS 62, 63]”
***
So, in order to avoid an erroneous conscience, we all must make every effort and take great care to not become “blind” by showing “little concern for seeking what is true and good”. Here it is affirmed by the teaching of the Church, “Conscience is not an infallible judge; it can make mistakes.”
And, also from The Splendor of Truth, regarding “maturity and responsibility” of the “judgments” of moral acts, we have an obligation to conduct an “insistent search for truth” by which we must allow ourselves to be guided in our actions. These acts are not to be considered simply “arbitrary” decisions but “judgments”:
“…Consequently in the practical judgment of conscience, which imposes on the person the obligation to perform a given act, the link between freedom and truth is made manifest. Precisely for this reason conscience expresses itself in acts of “judgment” which reflect the truth about the good, and not in arbitrary “decisions”. The maturity and responsibility of these judgments — and, when all is said and done, of the individual who is their subject — are not measured by the liberation of the conscience from objective truth, in favor of an alleged autonomy in personal decisions, but, on the contrary, by an insistent search for truth and by allowing oneself to be guided by that truth in one’s actions. (VS 61) “
Our Lord Jesus, in a sense and to an extent, rules his Church by way of the consciences of believers, whether they are an ecclesial authority of Cardinal, Bishop, or Priest or an everyday believer. It seems appropriate to mention here and now, in living our lives according to the will of God, no one who is a disciple or even apostle of Our Lord can consider that they can abrogate, delegate, or abdicate their personal responsibility to act in good conscience. What is more, every person has a personal responsibility to inform and educate their consciences in the truth in the never ending quest for a right or “correct conscience”. Likewise, should there be an omission by anyone to properly do so, culpability is incurred. The Church confirms revealed truth on faith, morals, revelation, and dogma in Her infallible teachings. Outside the domain of those infallible teachings, given the situation where no right and proper reasoning has been effectively employed or demonstrated to arrive at a conclusion, how can a believer in good conscience ascribe to the conclusion? While it may bring false comfort to us to pass off our personal responsibility to inform our consciences in the truth, what would we tell our Lord of our omission when we meet him face to face? Thus far, in good conscience, I have not been able to negate belief in the mystical events related to the alleged apparitions of Our Lady of Emmitsburg. I have no reasons nor has anyone presented any valid reasons to me why the occurrences are false, not happening, not supernatural, diabolical, strictly psychological, or in any way in error with respect to the teachings of the Church. How then can I assert to anyone in good conscience that they are not authentic?
Right conscience is in accord with right reason.
July 14, 2008 at 1:01 am
“Unlike official teachings of the Church on dogma, faith, and morals, in this case, Cardinal Keeler’s judgment is not to be understood as infallible.”
But it IS understood to be binding.
July 14, 2008 at 3:44 am
David,
Excellent point. I believe, and to my knowledge, all the others who believe the alleged mystical occurences to be worthy of human credance also believe that it is to be understood as binding. That is why the directive of the decree is strictly obeyed by all I know. Unless the Church changes something, this will remain the case – there will be no public activities related to the alleged apparitions and locutions on Church property in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. As I understand it, no Catholic is legitimately compelled or let alone to be coerced to believe the Keeler Decree judgment is infallible. And they may, while being bound to the Decree and required to be obedient to its directive, can dissent with the conclusion in good concience, since uncondemned private revelations do not pertain to what must be understood as truth about faith or morals.
By the way, I was at the Monthly Marian Prayer service today and Our Lady was quite clear and firm. Since you live close by I would like invite you to come and see for yourself so that you might be able to make appropriate judgment. You will be able to see the message on the Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary website later this week after it is reviewed and approved for distribution by appropriate Spiritual Direction.
Also, I have more on the “still small voice” which I hope to post within a week or so because I have some other travels to complete first.
July 14, 2008 at 4:46 am
“…uncondemned private revelations do not pertain to what must be understood as truth about faith or morals.”
Well, I suppose you are prepared to go to great lengths (and considerable verbage) to justify your agreement with the alleged phenomena at Emmitsburg. For me, and for the Church, “constat de non supernaturalitate” is sufficient.
Before you write yet another essay, I recommend a book that one supporter of certain disapproved apparitions described as “dangerous to the Marian movement.” That book would be “A Still Small Voice” by Father Benedict Groeschel, published by Ignatius.
July 14, 2008 at 6:10 am
OK David, bieing familiar with Fr. Groeschel and his book “A Still Small Voice” we are. He came to Emmitsburg fairly recently and gave a talk regarding which I took issue as you will see below. I do not know why he did not respond to my letter to him which took issue with his position. Please consider reading “I Am Sending You Prophets: The Role of Apparitions in the History of the Church” by Fr. Edward D. O’Conner, C.S.C. It describes the Church as I believe it to be. He there comments as a Notre Dame theologian on Fr. Groeschel’s book and in a footnote summarizes his review. But as far as making the judgment that “this is not possible” because some undifferentiated notion related to the Elijah scripture is to me to hang your hat on a hook that will not justify abrogating your personal responsibility to respond appropriately to a request and plea from heaven for cooperation and assistance.
Judgment: “not possible”
There are those who are against, are indifferent, or “don’t even care” about the primary message from God the Father, Our Lord, and Our Lady of Emmitsburg. This primary message might be summarized as “convert, change, return to God, and prepare for something new, both the difficult and the glorious.” There are yet others who are the same way because they believe it to be true that there exist some conditions that need be present before God will allow such mystical occurrences. While the bible is replete with diverse mystical communications and apparitions to diverse and different characters, there are some who have structured their own limits on these communications from heaven. In one such case relevant to Emmitsburg, another visiting priest gave a talk on July 7th, 2006 at the National Shrine of Lourdes Grotto (in Emmitsburg) with some astonishing ideas. In a letter to that priest dated August 9, 2006, questioning positions expounded in his talk, I wrote to him among other things:
…Among other things and to the best of my recollection, in particular you said (in his talk) that God generally only grants private revelations/apparitions to little peasant girls, and if God allows such experiences to an adult it is only posthumously known to anyone publicly. Additionally, you seemed to indicate that in any situation otherwise your policy is: “I flee, I flee.” Furthermore, you mentioned that it is your experience that many adults today claiming private revelations are looking for publicity, power, and notoriety; and in such cases your self-asserted policy is again: “I flee.”…
While I never received a response to my letter which articulated some thoughts on his ideas, I did also send him a message given by God the Father dated August 8th, 2006 and one from Our Lady of Emmitsburg dated August 6th 2006. (The full text of both messages can be found in the archives of The Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary website. These two messages seemed almost to be in direct or indirect response to the talk made by this priest. Our Lady said among other things in the Public message of August 6th:
…In this time of urgency, as I have mentioned before, I can no longer hold back the Angel’s sword. I am in great need of your prayer and your commitment to be true ambassadors of Light. There cannot be a casualness about this. If you are a true ambassador on my behalf, then you must indeed speak the Truth at all times and join me in inviting all people to listen my words and to return to God. You cannot listen only when you desire. You must place God always first, above all things.
I can tell you, little ones, be cautious of those who claim that they know whom God should choose and use as a vessel for His Words. There is no theologian, no priest, no authority in Mother Church who in certainty can say who is or is not receiving words from Heaven. God chooses whom God desires, of all genders, of all races and of all ages. I do not come only to peasants. I come to whomever God allows me to come.
“Yes indeed, you must use prudence and holy Wisdom to discern what is true and what is not. That comes through prayer and through a closer Union with God in the Eucharist. But you must have an open heart. For if you do not, then you will be held accountable for the sin of omission….”
And, God the Father said in His Public message to the world of August 8th, 2006 (full text provided because it seems mostly relevant):
***
The Words of God the Father
through Gianna Sullivan
August 8, 2006
My Dear “Children of Israel,”
I look to this new horizon as I have before, and I give you My most gracious blessing and invitation, and the good will to fulfill My Divine Will which I outlined for you at the inception of time. All are invited!
In this time period of corruption and confusion and war and division, so much unfolds among peoples of different cultures and races, of different beliefs and understandings, all of which they believe will bring them to eternal glory.
I am the God of Abraham! I am the God of every religion foretold. Was not I the One Who brought you out of slavery? Was it not I Who gave you good things and food to eat and water to drink? Is it not I Who should receive the glory? How soon you forget and seek other means and diversions and enticements! What have I done to be treated thusly?
Yet, as your God, I initially give you another opportunity. If you do not accept it, then you are foolish. For when you find out the Truth, will not even you be saying, “May God have mercy on me for my error?”
Perhaps you had better look to the Truth now and discern it so that you do not commit the sin of omission, but rather reap the benefits and fruits and graces and gifts and healings and the miraculous, awesome, omnipotent blessings.
Perhaps you, who think that you know how God chooses and thinks, believe how wise you are. However, perhaps even those who are ignorant in your eyes, but who know My Love, will surpass even your knowledge because they are wise in My Eyes. No human being or creature on this planet or in the cosmos can know the breadth and depth of the Mind and Wisdom that I your Father have.
Be distracted now, as you may wish to do. Pay attention to other things. However, you cannot escape the one day, the awesome day, on which I shall call upon you. Then, then tell Me in your wisdom the reasons why you persuaded and led My people away from Me because you thought you knew when and to whom and how I would communicate. How it was with the prophets, so too it is today!
I would prepare and love and be at peace with Me. Peace can exist in your world if you really desire it. I have outlined the Way. If you would but stop and look within and beyond the human mind, you will see the Truth. It takes cooperation and unity. It takes a commitment and affirmation to allow Justice and what is right, in their fullest sense, to unfold.
Receive my blessings; and know that I am with you, waiting for your mercy, not sacrifice.
***
The ideas from Our Lady and God the Father in these messages seem to me to indicate a proper view with respect to “how God chooses and thinks” rather than the notions of this particular priest. However, his assertions “…that many adults today claiming private revelations are looking for publicity, power, and notoriety…” and “I flee” indicate yet other judgments and a response that are worth further consideration, which of course in this situation are already prepared given the situation.
The priest who gave the talk was Fr. Groeschel.
BTW, I believe I have much more on this topic should you have further inquiries.
July 14, 2008 at 11:43 am
I have read the book myself, and have heard more than one talk by Father Groeschel on the topic. Your continued justification for legitimizing the apparitions at Emmitsburg, in light of the bishop’s decision which is binding in conscience, has taken enough of my time. You’ll have to argue with someone else. Or yourself, if need be.
July 14, 2008 at 4:57 pm
David,
Thank you so much for having put forth the effort in taking the time to engage in the dialog of this blog. I regret that you now indicate you may not go further.
Nontheless, your comment: “in light of the bishop’s decision which is binding in conscience” is already covered and we both seem to agree that it is. However, I have already explained the perspective of what exactly constitutes what that “binding” involves. I have always been acting in good conscience in believing in the authenticity of the apparitions of Our Lady of Emmitsburg and the associated.
On another note, I find it unfortunate that there are so many commenting publically in attempts to denounce the credibility of the alleged appartions of Our Lady of Emmitsburg and the associated, who when confronted charitably with the truth, abandon the dialog and will not accept any personal responsibility but continue on with unfounded assertions.
While there is much, much, much more I could explain in defence of belief that the alleged are worthy of human credence, tragically, even more than those so many reasons, are going unheeded the messages of heaven obviously meant to be a help for all people.
I pray that you open up to that glimmer of hope in your heart that the alleged be real so that you might know and experience all the good flowing down from heaven.
Visit: http://www.centeroftheimmaculateheart.org
July 14, 2008 at 4:57 pm
David,
Thank you so much for having put forth the effort in taking the time to engage in the dialog of this blog. I regret that you now indicate you may not go further.
Nontheless, your comment: “in light of the bishop’s decision which is binding in conscience” is already covered and we both seem to agree that it is. However, I have already explained the perspective of what exactly constitutes what that “binding” involves. I have always been acting in good conscience in believing in the authenticity of the apparitions of Our Lady of Emmitsburg and the associated.
On another note, I find it unfortunate that there are so many commenting publically in attempts to denounce the credibility of the alleged appartions of Our Lady of Emmitsburg and the associated, who when confronted charitably with the truth, abandon the dialog and will not accept any personal responsibility but continue on with unfounded assertions.
While there is much, much, much more I could explain in defence of belief that the alleged are worthy of human credence, tragically, even more than those so many reasons, are going unheeded the messages of heaven obviously meant to be a help for all people.
I pray that you open up to that glimmer of hope in your heart that the alleged be real so that you might know and experience all the good flowing down from heaven.
Visit: http://www.centeroftheimmaculateheart.org
July 19, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Let me begin by saying shame on those who are referring to OLOE prayer group as a CULT. You know who you are and this is disgusting. OLOE is no where near being a cult compared to Koresh or Jonestown. Who knows, you may be part of the establishment that is trying to hush hush the news about Planet X by making up lies and defaming people to turn away people’s attention to what may happen very soon? (also known as Nibiru) I am not stupid as I know OLOE is NOT a cult and I know for a fact that PX is REAL (knew this long before the message ever came out).
For the public who do not know what the message on June 1st is talking about is this:
“It is reported to be a rogue planet
thats rotation approaches earth about every 3600 years. It is
believed to be the cause of past pole shifts, destruction of ancient
cities land masses, the ice age, death of the dinosaurs, world-wide
weather changes and more. It is also believed to be the cause of the
biblical Noah’s flood. If true, its return could cause global
devastation to our very populated planet. There have been reports that
PX is making its return rotation anytime between 2003-2012, bringing it closest to
earth. Times being as they are it could play a major roll in a
bibilical ‘armagedden’ which many nations fear is near. It would be
wise to consider making preparations in order to survive such a global
calamity, time is of the essence.”
This thing passed by about 4,000 years ago and it was written about by the Egyptians, sumarians, and Mayans.
BTW, the government DOES know about the incoming dwarf star (known as planet X and Nibiru). So do other governments around the world as they have been keeping this hush hush as to not create a panic. I have friends that work with intelligence as they have said little but enough as to what may come here in the next several years. Oh yes, and there was an observatory built in Antarctica to watch PX as this is the best place to do so due to the trajectory of the incoming object.
As to the Bible describing this thing that will be coming, it mentions the moon turning blood red. Well that is because the dwarf star is trailing debris including red dust which will turn the sky red as it passes by.
Oh and to the 3 days of darkness as described in the Bible? That is because when this giant dwarf star passes, according to scientists the Earth will stop rotating for three to seven days (most likely 3 days since the Bible says so). Also, the approach of PX is causing a pole shift. The new pole locations (according to scientists) will end up in India and South America. I recommend one googles planet x to find out the details.
Oh, and to those who are wondering why astronomers that know about px have not said anything? That is because the ones that have SEEN PX have been threatened NOT to say anything. Duh!
July 19, 2008 at 3:18 pm
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/buddhism/practical/endofworld.asp
BTW that link references the end of the world, not Planet X. After planet x passes there will be survivors thus NOT the end of the world but the end of the world as we know it now (translation – we will be living as we did in the 19th century).
Oh and yes there is evidence of supernatural activity as there are witnesses to these events (as I am one of them).
July 21, 2008 at 12:55 pm
“On September 8, 2000, the Archdiocese of Baltimore issued a statement with the approval of Cardinal William H. Keeler, indicating that it “finds no basis” for the alleged apparitions and messages of the Blessed Virgin Mary which Gianna Talone-Sullivan claimed to receive during the Thursday evening prayer services at St. Joseph in Emmitsburg”
AND they did this WITHOUT interviewing witnesses. I would have been one to have taken a lie detector test to prove that what happened to me back in 2000 while at the novena during the apparition DID happen.
July 21, 2008 at 2:11 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sMTirjPhG4&feature=related
July 21, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Interesting web sites to check out
http://www.detailshere.com/niburu.htm
The show that talks about the planetary body that is mentioned in Our Lady’s message. This show has been talking about it for years.
http://www.coasttocoastam.com/shows/2005/11/08.html
Oh and here is a scientist that knows about “Planet X”
http://www.jmccanneyscience.com/