May 30, 2016 – Within the Octave of Corpus Christi Semidouble Feast

A Reader Writes: “You Speak of Fatima as a ‘Private Revelation'”
“It Is Not”
From: Mary Novus Ordo Fatima Chapel
The Modernistic Novus Ordo Chapel at Fatima, Portugal
Newchurch Has Turned Fatima into a Cult

To Replace the Public Revelation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
And Put the Purported Apparition on Level with Sacred Scripture and Tradition
Such a Notion Is Heresy, Which Comes from a Shocking Ignorance
Of the Basic Principles of Catholic Theology
Even among Those Who Call Themselves Catholics
Traditio explains Fatima’s Status

Dear TRADITIO Fathers:

You speak of Fatima as a “private revelation.” It is not. The apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima reported to have been witnessed by thousands. That takes it out of the private revelation “box” and makes it public revelation.

The TRADITIO Fathers Reply.

You are speaking from a shocking ignorance of basic principles of the Catholic Faith, which, we Fathers are sad to say, is epidemic these days, even among those who call themselves Catholics. What you have stated, although you don’t realize it, is heresy.

You have no understanding of what the term “Private Revelation” means in Catholic theology. It has nothing to do with how many people purportedly saw something. The term “Private Revelation” comprises anything occurring after the Apostolic Age, anything that is not recorded in Sacred Scripture or Sacred Apostolic Tradition as one of the miracles of Our Lord Jesus Christ or His Apostles. Only Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition comprise “Public Revelation.”

It has been the constant teaching of the Church that no Catholic is required to place credence in any revelation except what is in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Apostolic Tradition. Some “Fatimists,” like you, go so far as to equate Fatima with Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Such a notion is heretical. For further information, click on FAQ10: How Do You Explain These Traditional Catholic Beliefs? in the sections “Apparitions, Miracles, Private Revelations, Visions” and “Fatima” in the TRADITIO Network’s Library of Files: FAQs and Traditional Apologetics department.

We strongly advise you to put aside any obsession with Fatima and instead spend the time restudying your traditional Catholic catechism. For further information, click on the TRADITIO Network’s Library of Files – FAQs and Traditional Apologetics department. There are three traditional catechisms available there: the Baltimore Cathechism, the Catechism of St. Pius X, and the Catechism of the Council of Trent.