International Director: A. R. Skinner
Ecclesial Consultant: Rev. Fr. P. D. Meuli, STD., UJD., LLB. PhL.
Associate & Publisher: T. E. Pickford, D Phil, Dip Tch

Address: Arthur R. Skinner
P.O. Box 60-019
Titirangi, AUCKLAND
NEW ZEALAND

PHONE & FAX 817-8289 Auckland

* SUPPORTED BY BISHOPS FROM 44 COUNTRIES

Reverend Father Nicholas Gruner
'International Fatima Rosary Crusade'
P.O. Box 602
Fort Erie, Ontario
Canada L2A 5X3

Very Reverend and dear Father Gruner,

       I greet you in the most Blessed Virgin!

       I write to inform you that I have recently returned from Rome where I had the opportunity to meet with 19 Cardinals. We discussed at length the Consecration of Russia and what could be done to facilitate this.

       You may wish to inform your readers that among these Cardinals, I received most positive signs as to their desire both to have the Third Secret of Fatima publicly revealed together with the formal Consecration of the Russian Nation.

       I have decided to enclose for your information a summary comment from each Cardinal so as to give you a better individual perspective of their respective opinions.

       Cardinal Oddi: Consecration of Russia not yet fully achieved, does not believe this is possible until Third Secret is revealed. A chastisement is imminent.

       Cardinal Mayer: Russia not yet Consecrated, foresees great difficulties with some Bishops; we must persevere in encouraging them however.

Cardinal Mayer, as we reported years ago, still is strongly supporting the Consecration of Russia which he insists has not yet taken place. He also wants and works for the glorious return of the Tridentine Mass.

       Cardinal Lubachivsky: Perestroika a myth. Russia not yet formally Consecrated to the Blessed Virgin. His Ukrainian faithful still under great persecution. (See his letter in this issue)

Arthur Skinner, author off this report is pictured here with Cardinal Lubachivsky, the Primate off all Ukrainian Catholics around the world at the Cardinal's office in Rome in April 1990. In the background are pictures of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II and his predecessor, Cardinal Josyf Slipyj who suffered 18 years in Communist prisons for the Catholic Faith. Cardinal Lubachivski reminds us today, in 1990, that Ukrainian Catholics are still persecuted for the Faith by Communist Russia.

       Cardinal Stickler: He was most clear about the fact that Russia had not yet been formally consecrated. He also stated we have the right to seek from the Church an official ruling as to whether the Consecration of Russia has been done or not.

       Cardinal Castillo: Seemed a little confused regarding the Consecration of Russia, but at the end of our discussion was convinced that the Church must give a formal clarification and proffer a renewed study on this whole question.

       Cardinal Dadaglio: Has an intense interest in Russia and prays for its eventual Consecration.

       Cardinal Caprio: Russia not Consecrated. Would welcome a full study on this matter for the whole Curia to consider.

       Cardinal Deskur: Somewhat confused as to all the conflicting reports suggesting that Russia has already been Consecrated? Tends to think that it is up to the Pope to make a formal statement in order to give clarification.

       Cardinal Ciappi: A clear and impressive thinker. Russia NOT Consecrated. The Third Secret of Fatima and the Consecration of Russia have integral aspects, the former must be revealed before the latter can take place.

       Cardinal Bafile: Has an intense interest in the Fatima Message, although he seemed to think that the 1984 Consecration of the 'world' was sufficient to convert Russia even though the Pope neither mentioned it by name nor insisted on a solemn public ceremony by each bishop in their respective Cathedrals throughout the world.

       Cardinal Pavan: A theologian at the Council seeks to have this matter of the 'theology' of the Consecration of Russia and the Third Secret of Fatima clarified.

       Cardinal Innocenti: Maintains that the 1984 Consecration of the World was sufficient and that Perestroika is the fruit of this. Suggests that naming Russia by name and having all the Bishops of the Church at one single moment Consecrating Russia as pedantic.

       Cardinal Ratzinger: Spoke with his personal Secretary who informed me that His Eminence receives daily requests to facilitate the Consecration of Russia.

       Cardinal Arinze: Very open on this whole question, thinks that Russia is not Consecrated but would like more information. He expressed the desire to do something about this whole question.

       Cardinal Gantin: Away at the time, however his secretary was very gracious and open to accepting the petitions of several hundred Bishops requesting the Consecration of Russia.

       Cardinal Casaroli: Although I tried on four separate occasions he, together with three other Curial Cardinals, refused to see me.

       Cardinal Guerri: His Eminence was most appreciative of the visit. He was most gracious as he conveyed to me in very succinct terms his obvious understanding of the whole 'Russian question'. He argued that Russia could not be consecrated as the Holy Father did not mention it per se in the 1984 Consecration of the World, moreover even this consecration was not effected solemnly by the whole College of Bishops in their respective cathedrals. Further, he mentioned the Western abuses now moving into the Eastern bloc, perestroika being more political than spiritual, hardly the 'Triumph of the Immaculate Heart'. He said to me that this work to have Russia consecrated formally to the Blessed Virgin must continue, particularly to help prepare each bishop in the Church so that each may fulfill his responsibility regarding this consecration.

Cardinal Sergio Guerri with Auther Skinner.

       Archbishop Brini: His Excellency, formerly head of the Congregation of Oriental Churches, suggested that the Consecration of Russia which was required by God of the Church in 1929 has not yet taken place. Moreover, he expressed bewilderment as to why the Popes since then have not obeyed this command.

       Cardinal Lourdusamy: At the time I approached His Eminence's office he was very busy but took the time nevertheless to speak with me over the phone. He very kindly expressed his desire to see this work continue (i.e., to achieve the Consecration of Russia) and then invoked God's blessing upon me.

       Many of the Cardinals with whom I spoke were most encouraging and promised to take this whole matter of the Third Secret and the Consecration of Russia back to the Pope. One detected a certain degree of urgency among them in their desire to clarify this issue.

       I was most grateful to Their Eminences for their openness in these matters and would encourage your many readers to pray both for them and the Holy Father.

       Yours sincerely in Christ and the Blessed Virgin,

       Arthur R. Skinner

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