May 31, 2002
In Response to Inquiries
Concerning the Lady of All Nations Apparitions
As Bishop of
Haarlem/Amsterdam, I have been requested to make a statement regarding the
authenticity of the apparitions of Mary as the Lady of All Nations in Amsterdam
during the years of 1945-1959. Many members of the faithful and bishops have
emphasized the urgency for clarification. I also have been personally aware
that this development of devotion, which has spanned over 50 years, call for
this.
As
it is known, my predecessor, Msgr. H. Bomers and myself had previously given
permission for public veneration in 1996. As to the supernatural character of
the apparitions and contents of the messages, we did not give our judgment, but
declared that "everyone is free to make a judgment for himself or herself
according to their conscience." Having had a generally positive attitude
towards authenticity, we decided to await further development and to
"discern the spirit" further (cf. 1 Thes 5:19-21).
Over
the period of six subsequent years, I observed that the devotion had taken its
place in the spiritual life of millions all over the world, and that it
possesses the support of many bishops. Many experiences of conversion and
reconciliation, as well as healings and special protection also have been
reported to me. In full recognition of the responsibility of the Holy See, it
is primarily the task of the local bishop to speak out in conscience regarding
the authenticity of private revelations that take place or have taken place
within his diocese.
Therefore
I have asked once again for the advice of theologians and psychologists
concerning outcomes of previous investigations, and the questions and
objections deriving from them. Their recommendations state that no theological
or psychological impediments for a declaration of supernatural authenticity can
be found therein. I have also requested the judgment of a number of brother
bishops concerning the fruits and development of the devotion, who within their
own dioceses have experienced a strong devotion of Mary as the Mother and Lady
of All Nations. In light and virtue of all these recommendations, testimonies,
and developments, and in pondering all this in prayer and theological
reflection, I have come to the conclusion that the apparitions of the Lady of
All Nations in Amsterdam consist of a supernatural origin.
Naturally,
the influence of the human element still exists. Authentic images and visions
are always transmitted to us, in the words of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger,
Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, "through the filter
of our senses, which carry out a work of translation..." and "...are
influenced by the potentialities and limitations of the perceiving
subject" (Cardinal Ratzinger, Theological Commentary In Preparation for
the Release of the Third Part of the Secret of Fatima, L'Osservatore Romano,
June 28, 2000).
Unlike
Holy Scripture, private revelations are never binding upon the conscience of
the faithful. They are a help in understanding the signs of the times and to
help live more fully the Gospel (cf. Lk 12:56, Catechism of the Catholic
Church, n. 67). And the signs of our times are dramatic. The devotion to the
Lady of All Nations can help us, in my sincere conviction, in guiding us on the
right path during the present serious drama of our times, the path to a new and
special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Who alone can heal the great wounds of
our times.
To
follow the further development of this devotion and to come to an even deeper
insight into its meaning, I have installed a commission whose task it will be
to continue to document all initiatives, experiences, and testimonies stemming
from the devotion in order to help insure and preserve a correct ecclesial and
theological progress of devotion
I
hope this has provided sufficient information and clarification.
