Transcript:
Dr. Robert Moynihan
Well, two issues emerge there, first is the consecration and second is Russia. People believe that there was an attempt to consecrate Russia many times even by Pius XII, then again by, particularly the great moment in 1984 by John Paul II, but then even in affidamento again in the year 2000, I was present that day, the Entrustment, not the Consecration. But then people say none of these were precisely naming Russia. So, there’s a great debate in Catholic circles. Did John Paul II carry out the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart when he said, I consecrate the whole world or still as the consecration had not been made and you think it should be made?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider
Well, we have to simply read the text of his (Pope John Paul II) consecration from 1984. That he did not mention Russia explicitly. So, at least we can say he did the consecration in an imperfect form evidently. It would be perfect if he names Russia. Four years ago, Cardinal Cordes was in Kazakhstan as a Papal Legate for the Marian Congress in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima in Karaganda. I was present and during the Homily, the Cardinal stated the following, Sometime after the Consecration in 1984, he was invited by Pope John Paul II to his private dinner in the Papal Apartment. During this dinner, Cardinal Cordes asked the Holy Father, “Holy Father, why did you not mention Russia explicitly in the form after the Consecration?” The Pope answered him, “This was my intention, but those responsible for the diplomacy in the Vatican said not to do this because of the dangerous tensions with the powers of the Soviet Union because of political reasons.” Even so, Sr. Lucia reportedly said that heaven accepted this, because it is a beautiful prayer. Why should heaven not accept this? But it does not mean you think …
Dr. Robert Moynihan
Sister Lucia can be regarded as a valid witness to such questions. She was quite old already.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider
But I repeat, even if she said, it does mean that Sr. Lucia thinks or meant this was the perfect form. She simply stated, yes, heaven accepted. I think that an explicit mention of Russia should still be done and heaven will accept this with more joy.
Dr. Robert Moynihan
Well, I have two questions. One, there is an old belief right now that the Pope will consecrate Russia but he will do it late. He will delay and he will be old and it will be almost beyond hope. Finally, he will do it. Could Pope Francis do it? Could Pope Emeritus Benedict do it in this more perfect way that you are referring to? Would you encourage one or both of them to do it?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider
Well, Pope Benedict cannot do it because he is no longer the Pope. It is clear and we have to be very clear. Who can do it? It is the current Pope, Pope Francis, the current Pope or one of his successors. We do not know. It is decided under God’s providence. I wish very much of course. We pray for them and I believe that time will come when God will inspire and illuminate the successors of Peter to do this.
Dr. Robert Moynihan
Okay, then the second concern I would have, is not about who would make the Consecration but who would receive it. In a sense, obviously, God, the Virgin Mary, but the Russians are the object of this. You live in Kazakhstan, which was a part of the Soviet Union, now it is a separate country but it was a province, as it were, of the Republic of the Soviet Union. You speak Russian and you have Russian friends, you know the Russian mind to some degree and the Russian soul. Can you help us better understand this mind and soul? Is it possible that Russia, which was atheist for 70 years, can experience a conversion, a religious revival? Is it happening now? Can they receive with gratitude, a gesture from the Pope and the Catholic Bishops that would consecrate them? Would that somehow be politically, diplomatically, and culturally unacceptable to them?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider
I think today, the political situation is different than during the communist time. Today, I think that even the government of Russia, in my opinion, would consider such a gesture as positive, because in some way, Russia is valued. It is obvious for a politician in some way to see this making a profitable reputation in his country, it is simply a pragmatic thought. Therefore, I cannot imagine the Russian government will be against this. I think the Orthodox Church should also be happy because the Russian Orthodox Church is one of the most Marian Christian Churches in the world. They have every day a special title of an icon of Our Lady which they venerate. The Russian Orthodox Church is profoundly a Marian Church. Hence, if the first bishop in the world, the successor of St. Peter, even though the Orthodox Church is not canonically in communion with the Holy See but recognizes that the Pope is the successor of Peter, will entrust or Consecrate Russia to the care of Our Lady the Mother of God and her Immaculate Heart, I think they should be happy because this is a beautiful prayer. We can say to one another, please pray for me. I have a lot of Orthodox friends and we pray for each other, this I believe we can do. When the Pope, the first bishop in the world in Apostolic succession, officially and solemnly prays for Russia to Our Lady, it should be seen as an intrinsically positive act and should be considered without any prejudices. It is an act of fraternal charity towards their Church. This should be considered this way and I hope that it would be explained to them, the government and the Patriarchate, before the Consecration should take place in the future. I think it is even best if the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church be present in this Solemn Act of Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Dr. Robert Moynihan
Well, then, even these words you have spoken could in some way prepare perhaps for this better understanding of the meaning of the gesture. There might be one impediment, the Greek Catholic Churches, could they be opposed to the consecration of Russia?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider
No, they will never be opposed, I know this for sure. Why should they oppose it? This is the request of Our Lady of Fatima to us Catholics.
