God not as severe as liturgists —Prelate

By a Staff Reporter
"IT is very difficult to define -11the line of separation between authentic Christians and 'marginal' Catholics who go on pilgrimages," said Bishop Theas of Lourdes last week.
Speaking at "a I.000-strong international Marian Congress in Lisbon, he said the "marginal" Catholics bless themselves, wear medals, light candles at shrines, but have no logical faith.
However, he continued, it was not wise to make judgnients.God made men different with different civilisations and temperaments. "Eastern Christianity is not that of Western Christianity. No country has the right to say "our Christianity is the one!"
"When Pope Paul came to Fatima on May 13 he was overcome with emotion and admiration for those two million pilgrims who were undoubtedly little acquainted with Marian theology, but who venerated Mary, their loving mother, the mother of God and the mother of men.
NOT BE ANGRY
"Among the multitudes who throng our sanctuaries, there exists more confidence than scientific knowledge," continued Bishop Theas. "We should not be angry with those who say the Rosary during Mass. It is not the best way of participating in the Holy Sacrifice, but God is not as severe as the liturgists."
The 5-day congress, at which the Pope was represented by Cardinal Cerejeira, Patriarch of Lisbon, was one of several events marking the 50th anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima.
Immediately before it a Mariological Congress was held at Lisbon, attended by 400 delegates, including Anglicans, Protestants and Orthodox. Together with Roman Catholics they examined the Biblical and dogmatic origins of the cult of Mary.
FIRST DIALOGUE
"It was the first time such a mutual dialogue had taken place," commented Fr. Paul Melada, secretary of the Pontifical International Marian Academy in Rome. And a more intimate understanding has now been born."
In a frank address Brother Roger Schutz, founder and prior of the Protestant monastic community of Taize in France appealed to his "Catholic brothers" never to place the Virgin Mary in a position "contrary to her proper attitude of humility and service."
Fr. Charles Balic, O.F.M., President of the Marian Academy in Rome, said "no one can ignore the divergencies among Christian religions when the cult of Mary is discussed, but in the first place there is always charity and love of Christ."
Or as Brother Laurent of Taize put it: "In the last few years, the Marian controversy has become calmer in tone, and more doctrinal in content."