La Verdadera Vida en Dios

A-6 Collegio StaMonica, Via PaoloVI, 25, 00193Rome 4 thApril 2002 Dear Mrs Rydén, On the 6 th of July 2000 you addressed a letter to His Eminence Cardinal Ratzinger regard- ing the “Notificazione” of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning your writings. His Eminence has taken note of your letter and, together with his collaborators, has decided to give you the opportunity to clarify the meaning of some assertions contained in your publications. For this purpose I have been delegated to contact you personally both in conversation and in writing so that the Congregation may have a clearer idea of the ex- act interpretation of these assertions. I wish to make clear from the very outset that not be- ing a Roman Catholic you do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Congregation and that yours is not a personal censure. However, as many Catholics follow the “True Life in God” they too have a right to know where they stand regarding points of doctrine and practice prompted by your writings. We are also aware of your works of charity, your efforts to lead all Christians towards unity with the Bishop of Rome, of your great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, of your presentation of God as the God of Love even to non-Christians and of your antagonism to rationalism and corruption among Christians.Your latest books, too, seem to have laid aside some ambiguous expressions contained in your earlier ones. This notwithstanding I would be grateful if you can reply, as clearly as possible, to some ques- tions to help the Congregation to obtain a clearer idea of what you are doing. 1.You know very well that, for both Catholics and Orthodox, there is only one Revela- tion, that of God in Jesus Christ, which is contained in the Holy Scriptures and in Tradition. Within the Catholic Church even accepted “private” revelations as in Lourdes or Fatima, although taken seriously, are not matters of faith. In which sense, therefore, do you consider your writings as revelations and how should they be ac- cepted by your hearers and readers? 2. You belong to the Orthodox Church and often exhort priests and bishops of that faith to acknowledge the Pope and to make peace with the Roman Church. For this, unfortunately, you are not welcome in some countries of your own persuasion. Why do you take up this mission? What is your idea of the Bishop of Rome and how do you foresee the future of Christian unity? One sometimes gets the impression in read- ing your works, however, that you stand above both Churches without being com- mitted to either. For example, it seems that you receive communion in both Catholic CARTADELP. GRECH A VASSULA (Original)