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An International Missionary Outreach Dedicated to Evangelizing the Lost and Equipping the Church for Discernment
Monitoring The News
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Is "Our Lady" Ecumenical? |
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The world is looking for a peace plan. Every day we are bombarded with news that somewhere in the world, humans are killing other humans. World political leaders are constantly meeting, discussing how peace can be attained. But nothing seems to work. Some have called for a religious solution. It seems that until now religion has been the source of the trouble. How could this ever change? On
February 11, 2002, a special event took place in
southern India, in the city of Vailankanny. This
city, labeled by Pope John Paul II as the “Lourdes
of the East,”[1]
is the sacred location where the Shrine of our Lady
of Good Health is located. Although the pope was
unable to attend the special celebration himself, he
sent a representative. On Monday, January 14,
Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, president of the
Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers was named
as his special envoy to the celebrations.[2] In
a prepared message for the World Day of the Sick,
Pope John Paul II stated: Vailankanny
attracts not only Christian pilgrims but also many
followers of other religions, especially Hindus, who
see Our Lady of Good Health the caring and
compassionate Mother of suffering humanity.[3] The
fact Our Lady of Good Health attracts followers of
various religions, including Hindus is very
interesting. In his address, the pope also stated: The various
religions of humanity have always sought to answer
the question of the meaning of suffering. And they
need to recognize the need to show compassion and
kindness towards all who are suffering. Thus
religious convictions have given rise to systems of
medicine to treat and cure diseases.[4] While
this statement made by the pope may be true, perhaps
there is a better explanation for why Hindus and
other religions are attracted to Our Lady of Good
Health. As the pope himself has declared,
Vailankanny is the “Lourdes of the East.” Signs
and wonders are happening there. So it would seem
reasonable to suggest that “Our Lady”, when
associated with signs and wonders, is very
ecumenical. And
speaking of “Our Lady” and ecumenism, I am
reminded of a photograph I saw recently. It was a
picture of the Dalai Lama standing in front of an
image of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, also
know as the Queen of Heaven. Fatima, is a location
where the pope and many others believe the Queen of
Heaven supernaturally appeared in an apparition May
13, 1917. The city of Fatima located in Portugal was
named after the daughter of Mohammed. And speaking
of Mohammed and “Our Lady,” did you know that an
entire chapter of the Koran is devoted to “Mary”
the mother of Jesus. I
find this all quite interesting! Hinduism! Buddhism!
Islam! Christianity! Other religions! Indeed “Our
Lady” is very ecumenical. Do you agree? The
Bible warns about a counterfeit gospel and a
counterfeit spirit.[5]
We are also told to be on the alert for a
counterfeit peace that proceeds a time of God’s
wrath.[6]
Are you reading your Bible?
For
more information on this subject order the new book
released by Understand The Times “New Wine and the
Babylonian Vine” by Roger Oakland [1] The World Day of Sick, to Be Held in India’s “Lourdes,” Zenit News Agency, www.zenit.org/english, February 1, 2002 [2] Ibid. [3] Ibid. [4] Ibid. [5] 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4 [6] 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-5 www.understandthetimes.org
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The Times P.O. Box 1160
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