LETTERS

Book on Fatima endorsed by current pope

The Editor: In his letter in the May 26 PM, Ted Willis misconstrues Pope Benedict’s statement that the third secret of Fatima is still revealing itself.
In 2007, Pope Benedict wrote a foreward to a book by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, subsequently published in English as The Last Secret of Fatima: My Conversation with Sister Lucia (Doubleday, 2008).

That book sets out parts 1, 2, and 3 of the secret of Fatima, together with a theological commentary written by Pope Benedict when he was cardinal.

The commentary ponders the difference between public and private revelation with reference to Nos. 66 and 67 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The vision of the children of Fatima are a summons and a guide to the will of God. Those visions speak of dangers and how we might be saved from them. The future appears only in a mirror dimly (1 Cor 13:12). The message of Fatima invites us to trust the promise, “In the world you will have tribulations, but take heart, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).

On March 25, 1984 Pope John Paul II consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, including the words, “Enlighten especially the people whose consecration and entrustment by us you are awaiting.” Cardinal Bertone affirms that Sister Lucia approved the validity of this act of consecration.

I hope Ted Willis and many readers of the PM will prayerfully read The Last Secret of Fatima, a book endorsed by the current successor of St. Peter. — Anthony Pittarelli, Winnipeg

Excommunicating bishop 'a breath of fresh air'

The Editor: I strongly congratulate Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted for excommunicating Sister Margaret McBride from the Catholic Church.

Anyone who, in any way or under any circumstances, approves of murder via abortion is not religious, loving, caring or compassionate. In truth, it is free-thinkers like McBride who have turned people away from religion and who have caused the greatest of scandals in the Catholic Church.

Dr. Paul A. Byrne, director of Neonatology and Pediatrics at St. Charles Mercy Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, has stated that he knew of no situations, including pulmonary hypertension, when an abortion was necessary to save the life of the mother.

While medical professionals should certainly try to save a pregnant mother’s life, the means by which they do it can never be by directly killing her unborn child. The end does not justify the means. Olmstead is a real breathe of fresh air in Phoenix, not only for Catholics but for all people of goodwill. May his stay be long and fruitful. — George Furlow, Edmonton