Baltimore archbishop tells Virgin Mary 'visionary' to stop activities
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-mary1014,0,1012701.storyBy David Dishneau | The Associated Press 5:40 PM EDT, October 14, 2008 Gianna Sullivan Gianna Sullivan prays during a gathering near Frederick last year. (AP photo / February 4, 2007) HAGERSTOWN - The Roman Catholic Church has told a disputed visionary to stop disseminating within the Archdiocese of Baltimore messages she purportedly receives from the Virgin Mary. Gianna Sullivan complied today by suspending her monthly appearances at a Frederick County conference center. Sullivan, of Fairfield, Pa., also pledged not to personally disseminate messages in written, spoken or electronic form within the jurisdiction of the archdiocese, as requested by Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien. The archdiocese includes Baltimore City and the Maryland counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard and Washington. O'Brien's warning, which was distributed to churchgoers last weekend, marked an escalation of the church's efforts to silence Sullivan, who was banned in 2000 from delivering her messages during weekly appearances at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Emmitsburg. Related links * <http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-sunphotos1014,0,6852594.photogallery>Today's Sun photos <http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-sunphotos1014,0,6852594.photogallery>Photos In 2003, the Vatican backed an investigative commission's conclusion that the apparitions were not supernatural. Nevertheless, Sullivan's followers continued to post her messages online and flocked to her monthly appearances at the Lynfield Event Complex near Frederick. In a statement to supporters, Sullivan said that while she was saddened by O'Brien's directive, she would obey his warnings and urged her followers to do likewise. "Obedience is the utmost act of authenticity, humility and love," Sullivan wrote. She added, though, that neither she nor her husband, Michael, are responsible for the actions of the Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, a group that has disseminated her messages online. O'Brien's letter cautioned Sullivan not to talk or write about the alleged apparitions anywhere within the archdiocese. He also warned Catholics in the archdiocese that supporting Sullivan "is a great disservice to the church and creates further confusion and division among the faithful." Three priests appointed by O'Brien's predecessor, Cardinal William H. Keeler, investigated Sullivan's claims and concluded the visions were not supernatural or miraculous and contained apocalyptic prophecies uncharacteristic of genuine messages from Mary. Archdiocese spokesman Sean Caine said O'Brien's letter was prompted by confusion and anxiety among the faithful stemming from the heightened apocalyptic language in Sullivan's June 1 message. "After awhile, you will see a time when there is another body in orbit around your solar system, coming between Earth and the Sun and leading to tremendous devastation," the message read. "Approximately 60-70% of the world's population, as you know it, will cease. Of those who survive, 60% of them could die of disease and starvation." The Sullivans moved in 1993 from Scottsdale, Ariz., where Gianna Sullivan has said she began receiving the messages. The couple founded Mission of Mercy, a nonprofit organization based in Frederick that provides health care to the poor and uninsured in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Texas. On the Net Archdiocese of Baltimore: http://www.archbalt.org Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary: http://www.centeroftheimmaculateheart.org Mission of Mercy: http://www.amissionofmercy.org <*}}}>< <http://halfthekingdom.mofuse.mobi/>Half the Kingdom! on your Mobile <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/wordpress/>Half the Kingdom! Blog <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the Kingdom! Main Site <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/by-the-by/>Half the Kingdom! By the by <*}}}>< Lord, may everything we do begin with Your inspiration and continue with Your help, so that all our prayers and works may begin in You and by You be happily ended. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. <*}}}>< <http://halfthekingdom.mofuse.mobi/>Half the Kingdom! on your Mobile <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/wordpress/>Half the Kingdom! Blog <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the Kingdom! Main Site <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/by-the-by/>Half the Kingdom! By the by <*}}}>< Lord, may everything we do begin with Your inspiration and continue with Your help, so that all our prayers and works may begin in You and by You be happily ended. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Please note that I do not send or open attachments sent to this list. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Catholics on Fire" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Catholics-on-Fire May the blessing of Jesus and our Blessed Mother be with you -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
