|
 |
May 28, 2004
Linda L. Hughes
5 Field
Irvine, CA 92620
Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J.
5817 Old Leeds Rd.
Irondale, AL
35210-2164
Dear Fr. Pacwa,
I am writing this letter for two reasons. The first is to thank-you for
the great programs and guests that you have on EWTN Live. I have thoroughly
enjoyed them all — except one, and that is where my second reason comes
in. During the week of April 22, 2004, you had Fr. Robert Fox as a guest with
you. During the show, you asked him if it was true that the new Fatima Church
being built was to be used for inter-faith worship — where all religions
can worship according to their particular tradition. Fr. Fox replied no which
was fine, because the Vatican has not affirmed that as a goal of the new
church. However, what disheartened me was that Fr. Fox proceeded to unashamedly
drag a brother priest through the mud — leaving viewers with the idea that
the priest in question is nothing but a scam artist — starting this Fatima
"rumor" as a means to make money off his unsuspecting victims. Fr. Fox
continued his accusations by stating that this priest is not permitted to say
Mass at the Shrine and furthermore, has been "suspended". Amazingly, he stated
all this without one fact or any evidence to back up such slanderous
remarks!
But, the seed was planted...
This priest’s mean-spirited remarks were quite disturbing to me and
since then have been gnawing at my conscious. After much consideration and
prayer and one discarded letter, I find I must respond, at least, to those
attacks with which I am familiar. You see, Fr. Mitch, I am a volunteer for Our
Lady of Fatima Apostolate which is served by Fr. Nicholas Gruner, the
"suspended" priest of whom Fr. Fox was speaking. I am also an active member of
the Legion of Mary. As you probably know, the Legion of Mary is dedicated to
the Spiritual Works of Mercy and among them are door-to-door visitations. The
goal — to make Mary better known so that She may make Christ better known
to the world. We leave rosaries, miraculous medals, scapulars and all types of
Catholic literature including holy cards to those we visit, according to their
needs. The majority of all these items are furnished to us through Fr.
Gruner’s Apostolate. When I call and request these items, they are sent
immediately. Of course, our Praesidium sends a donation for these sacramentals
but we have never been asked to do so. It has never even been suggested. We are
not exclusive in taking advantage of this great service; in only the months of
January and February of this year, volunteers of Our Lady of Fatima Apostolate
have distributed 136,422 pieces of Catholic literature and 45,679 sacramentals.
He also sends out a quarterly magazine at no cost to anyone. It is packed full
of up to date information along with totally Catholic writings by and about the
saints.
These are just a couple of the many services Fr. Gruner so lovingly does
in the name of Our Lady of Fatima. In addition to the experiences with Our Lady
of Fatima Apostolate that I have offered, I have included a copy of the facts
surrounding the "suspension" of Fr. Gruner as sent to the Vatican. You may have
seen them already, I don’t know, but if not, I respectfully ask you to
take a few minutes to read them.
In addition, regretfully, I must tell you that before the ink dried on
my original letter in early May, a stunning development occurred which came to
my attention. It is this that finally prompted me to send this letter. I was
shocked to learn that on May 5, 2004, Msgr. Guerra gave permission (always
needed for use of the Capelinha or Little Chapel of Apparitions) to a Hindu
"priest" to conduct a pagan ritual in the Capelinha at Fatima! This ceremony
was televised on Portugal’s SIC channel and included Msgr. Guerra
providing approving comments on the Hindu’s use of the chapel for their
pagan idolatry! This is the very spot where Our Lady of Fatima appeared in the
Cova! Is this not blasphemy?
It saddens me deeply to hear such vicious attacks from a Catholic Priest
towards anyone, especially another Priest. Surely existing disagreements on
issues, i.e., the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart and the
revealed (or unrevealed) Third Secret of Fatima (of which Mother Angelica even
said that she didn’t think the 2000 revelation was complete.) would not
explain such unprovoked hostility on Fr. Fox’s part. A personal apology to
Fr. Gruner from Fr. Fox would be appropriate as we now know the tree by its
fruits. I can assure you that I will keep him in my prayers as I do Fr.
Gruner.
In conclusion, please accept my sincere thank you for your respectful
approach in handling Fr. Fox’s less than charitable remarks. You closed
the subject quickly and moved forward without adding any further negativity to
either side. Thank you for preserving the high standards set by Mother Angelica
for EWTN. I will keep you in my prayers daily so that the exceptional job you
do continues.
Thank you again for your time and patience in listening to a concerned
Catholic. May God bless and keep you.
Respectfully yours in Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Linda L Hughes
See also:
Return to
Table of Contents
|
|
 Printer friendly
|
|