Monday, June 23, 2003 9:38 AM
from Fr. Michael O’Carroll
Here is a new testimony from Fr Michael O’Carroll, C.S.Sp who is unwell and has been so for some time and asks for our prayers.
The person is Vassula Ryden, if that needs to be said. She is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church with a mission to communicate divine messages to willing audiences. Demands have come to her from practically all over the world. Some readers may know that I accompanied her on her missions for some years. I was reminded recently that I once introduced her to prisoners in California.
While thus working with Vassula, I was happy to publish three books on her message, or should I say, teaching. The third was slender in volume and because it dealt with a problem with Rome, I issued it under my mother’s maiden name, Michael Dore. I ceased to accompany her soon after. This was not because I disagreed with either her communications or her conduct. I have never withdrawn a single word that I spoke or wrote on her behalf. There was in my decision, as Vassula remarked in an interview, a consideration of age, and also of my obligation to my religious congregation.
I have rejoiced in the continuing expansion of Vassula’s mission. As she said, she has been invited to very many countries. What attracts my special attention at the present time is the apologia pro vita sua which she has been fortunate to publish under the auspices of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. From Cardinal Ratzinger she sought an opportunity to explain fully her position and the content of her messages. There had been a problem earlier.
The Cardinal replied through one of his officials, Fr. Prospero Grech. She was given five important questions to answer. Her reply is contained in thirty-two typed pages. These she has been allowed by the Cardinal to publish. These I have been reading. I think that the best service I can render the reader is to quote Vassula’s exact words on the points which will interest Catholics.
On her relationship as Orthodox Christian to the Roman Catholic Church:
“Approaching the Orthodox priests, monks and bishops to acknowledge the Pope and to reconcile with sincerity with the Roman Church is not an easy task, as our Lord says in one of the messages; it is like trying to swim in the opposite direction of a strong current; but after having seen how our Lord suffers in our division I could not refuse Our Lord’s request when asked to carry this cross; therefore I have accepted this mission, yet not without having gone through and still going through many fires.”
“You have asked ‘Why do you take up this mission?’ My answer is because I was called by God, I believed and I answered Him; therefore I want to do God’s will. One of Christ’s first words were: ‘Which house is more important, your house or My House?’ I answered ‘Your House Lord’. He said; ‘Revive My House, embellish My House and unite it.’
“Some of the Greek Orthodox hierarchy totally reject me; first because they do not believe me, secondly because I am a woman, and thirdly because a woman should not speak. Some of the monks are suspicious of me, saying that I am probably a Trojan horse, sent and paid by the Pope or that I am a Uniate. Many do not want to hear of reconciliation or ecumenism. They consider it a heresy if I pray with the Roman Catholics. That is where they see it as standing above both churches without being committed to either. I am fully and wholly committed to my church but it is not a heresy nor a sin if I live ecumenically and pray with other Christians to promote unity.”
The reader will readily see that there is much more from this bountiful source that deserves consideration. I shall attempt to satisfy the reader’s wish in my next article.
Michael O’Carroll, C.S.Sp.