CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO
TRANSCRIPT
With the consecration of Russia and Ukraine happening today, many people are asking, Wasn’t this already done? Church Militant’s Kim Tisor explores the controversies surrounding Pope St. John Paul II’s consecrations.
Pope John Paul II visited Fatima in 1982 to thank Our Lady for her protection, a year after a Turkish terrorist attempted to kill him. John Paul II gave a homily in the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary, where he consecrated the world to Mary’s Immaculate Heart — but did not do so in union with every bishop.
Fr. Chris Alar, director, Association of Marian Helpers: “At times, we have specifically mentioned Russia, but then the popes did not call the bishops in union together — which was her request. And at other times, the bishops were called together, but then Russia was not mentioned in the consecration.”
In 1984, John Paul II attempted to rectify his first attempt at consecration by calling together all the world’s bishops. But, under pressure from his advisors, John Paul II refrained from mentioning Russia by name and consecrated the world to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. The Vatican says the text heavily implies that Russia is at the forefront of the intention. However, even if a consecration met Our Lady’s specifications, there’s still a second part.
Alar: “The problem is, Our Lady, when she gave the request for the conversion of Russia, she stated that we had to have not only the consecration of Russia, but also the Five First Saturdays’ devotion.”
Sister Lúcia, through letters and testimony, has said the consecration by Pope John Paul II was acceptable to Heaven — even if it wasn’t fully in line with Our Lady’s request. It is crucial to remember Our Lady made peace conditional on laymen dedicating themselves to the First Saturday devotion and praying for Russia’s conversion.
During John Paul II’s 1984 consecration, he sent priests into the heart of Moscow with religious items — contraband to the Soviets — and scattered Miraculous Medals in Russia, including in a government-controlled church.