Menzingen, October 9 2001

News according to which Sister Lucy of Fatima has had an apparition from the Blessed Virgin asking the Carmels to pray especially the Rosary on the 6th and 7th of October in order to prevent the blood bath which is preparing recently spread in our centres.

This rumour is false and has been denied by the Carmel of Coimbra.

It is probably founded on:

• An initiative of the Association of Our Lady of the Rosary at Fatima which has asked many Episcopal conferences to make October 7, feast of Our Lady of the Rosary a particular day of prayer to ask for peace in the world. The communiqué said that Sister Lucy and the Carmel approved this initiative.
• The fact that the Carmel of Coimbra prayed 24 hours straight on October 7th and the Mother Prior said the hour was grave.
  
• A misunderstood internal communication to certain Carmels.

All this added to the tension already felt in the world has produced the false information.

It remains that the present times can very well be understood in the light of the message of Fatima and the invitation to have recourse to the protection of Our Lady and implore Divine clemency by the Rosary especially during the month of the Rosary is more than appropriate.

† Bernard Fellay
Superior General