August 15, 2003, Fort Erie, Ontario - Despite claims by Vatican officials that he has been suspended, Father Nicholas Gruner is continuing his controversial Fatima apostolate, buoyed by an encouraging letter from the Pope’s personal secretary.

Widely known as the "Fatima Priest", Fr. Gruner recently returned to the Fatima Centre in Ft. Erie from a visit to California, where he conducted a two-day Rosary Peace Rally attended by over 900 Catholic faithful. He also answered questions in open sessions regarding both the Fatima message and his own status as a Catholic priest.

Fr. Gruner challenges a "Declaration" issued in September, 2001 alleging that he was "suspended" from the priesthood and that no one should attend his Fatima peace conferences. In support of his denial of this claim, Fr. Gruner showed a letter dated May 24, 2003, from Bishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, who is the long-standing personal secretary to Pope John Paul II. The letter addresses both Fr. Gruner and his associate, Fr. Paul Kramer, as "Fathers" and assures them that "with you, we pray for peace in the world and the grace necessary for strength during this challenging period."

Fr. Gruner’s apostolate promotes the prophetic message delivered by the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children during apparitions at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. The message warns of dire consequences for the world unless the Pope, together with all the world’s Catholic bishops, consecrates Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Fr. Gruner maintains that this consecration has still not been performed as requested.

Detailed information on the Fatima Message can be obtained at www.fatima.org.

For further information call Coralie at (905) 871-7607

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