I have an audio tape from a conference that was sponsored by Catholic Family News (John Vennari’s outfit-he’s a big supporter of Father Gruner). Whenever I hear what Father Gruner has to say about Fatima, I generally turn the volume down on my car’s tape player.

In fact, the last time I was in Fatima in 1988, Father Gruner and his group of pilgrims were staying in the same hotel as was my group! (For some obscure reason, my group, which traveled under the auspices of the Blue Army, did not stay at the ‘Domus Pacis’, as on my previous three visits….but I digress) Father Gruner was ‘persona non grata’ as far as the Shrine authorities were concerned; they would not let him set foot on the grounds! Instead, he said Mass for his group in a glassed-in lounge off the main lobby of the hotel. I saw it myself; the ladies were distinguished by their long dresses and chapel veils.

I never liked it when Father Gruner’s group constantly ‘bashed’ both Father Fox and the Blue Army. It was, and still is, uncalled for.

What we SHOULD be doing, instead of obsessing about whether the Consecration was made or not, is actually LIVING the Message of Fatima! THAT is what Catholics should be spending their time and energy in doing!

[OK, end of rant]

I can see a lot of arguments on both sides of this topic…