While visiting Rome in November of 1996, I took a city tour. One of our stops was St. Peter's Basilica. My guide told me another name for St. Peter's was the “Mother of All Churches.”

According to an article posted from a Lisbon, Portugal newspaper a major ecumenical move is being promoted by the Vatican that could lead to the uniting all the world's religions. This article has caused me to wonder: Should the “Mother of all Churches” be renamed the “Mother of All Religions”?

The article was titled Fatima to become interfaith shrine. I found the first paragraph rather astonishing. Read carefully every word that is stated:

Delegates attending the Vatican and United Nations (UN) inspired annual interfaith congress "The Future of God", held during October in Fatima , heard how the Shrine is to be developed into a center where all the religions of the world will gather to pay homage to their various gods. The Congress was held in the Paul VI Pastoral Center and presided over by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon José de Cruz Policarpo. [1]

While the article was posted from a Portuguese News source November 1, 2003 , there were few references to this news item anywhere else. Certainly an event as significant as this should have been noticed by other news agencies. Imagine the significance. A conference “inspired by the Vatican and the United Nations” that centered on the idea of establishing a shrine, at the very location where “Mary the Mother of Jesus” was supposed to have appeared in an apparition, for the cause of uniting the religions of the world! How amazing! Further, the shrine was being proposed as a gathering place for all religions to come and “pay homage” to their gods.

I decided to investigate further. Another source verified that the event actually happened between October 10 and 12, 2003 at the Fatima Shrine. I also searched a number of sources to find out more about Cardinal José de Cruz Policarpo. He, along with 36 others, was officially appointed to the position of Cardinal by Pope John Paul II, February 21, 2001 . [2]

The Shrine’s rector of over forty years, Monsignor Luciano Guerra spoke to the Congress. Addressing Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, Buddhist and African Pagan representatives he said:

The future of Fatima , or the adoration of God and His mother at this holy Shrine, must pass through the creation of a shrine where different religions can mingle. The inter-religious dialogue in Portugal , and in the Catholic Church, is still in an embryonic phase, but the Shrine of Fatima is not indifferent to this fact and is already open to being a universalistic place of vocation. [3]

Other religious leaders commented as well. From their statements it was apparent that the Fatima Shrine may soon become a pilgrimage center for all of the world’s religions. For example, Hindu representative Anshok Ansraj described “how already in the Far East millions of Hindus are getting “positive vibrations” from visiting Marian shrines without endangering their faith.” [4]

Monsignor Guerra also made it clear that he believed the very name of “ Fatima ” destined the Shrine to become a successful stepping stone towards an ecumenical harmony with Islam. The article stated:

Monsignor Guerra pointed out that the very fact that Fatima is the name of a Muslim and Mohammed's daughter, is indicative that the Shrine must be open to the co-existence of various faiths and beliefs. According to the Monsignor: "Therefore we must assume that it was the will of the Blessed Virgin Mary that this comes about this way." [5]

Other Catholic speakers who participated in the conference were equally as vocal in their opinion that the Fatima Shrine would become a significant location and an ecumenical catalyst for all religions to unite. For example, the Jesuit theologian Father Jacques Dupuis predicted: “The religion of the future will be a general converging of religions in a universal Christ that will satisfy all.” [6]

Passionately encouraging all leaders who were in attendance to become part of a world wide religion centered on the name of Christ, Father Dupuis continued:

The other religious traditions in the world are part of God's plan for humanity and the Holy Spirit is operating and present in Buddhist, Hindu and other sacred writings of Christian and non-Christian faiths as well. The universality of God's kingdom permits this, and this is nothing more than a diversified form of sharing in the same mystery of salvation. In the end it is hoped that the Christian will become a better Christian and each Hindu a better Hindu. [7]

Like all conferences, the “Future of God” conference ended with resolutions to be carried forward. The Lisbon based newspaper reported:

An official statement put out by the Congress called for a non-proselytizing approach by all religions. "No one religion can irradiate another," it said "or strengthen itself by downplaying others and an open dialogue is the way to building bridges and tearing down walls of centuries of hate. What is needed is that each religion be true to its faith integrally and treat each religion on the same footing of equality with no inferior or superiority complexes." It emphasized that the secret to peace amongst all religions is admitting that contradictions exist between creeds but to concentrate on what unites them as opposed to what separates them. [8]

So, what is happening to the Catholic Church? The Fatima Shrine is one of Pope John Paul’s favorite places. He has traveled to this site on numerous occasions. In fact on October 8, 2001 , he brought the image of our Lady of Fatima from the Shrine in Portugal to Rome where the image was put on exposition. Also at that time, he “consecrated the Third Millennium to Mary.” Pope John Paul II seems to place a lot of confidence in “Our Lady of Fatima.”

If the Pope is not in agreement with the Fatima Shrine becoming a focal point to unite the world religiously under the banner of “Mary” and in the name of Christ, now would be a good time for him to let the world know the Congress held at Fatima in October 2003 under the auspices of one of his appointed Cardinals, was a colossal mistake. If statements made at the Fatima Interfaith Congress do not reflect what the Vatican believes or endorses regarding the “future of God,” someone needs to tell the Pope to make an announcement to the world – immediately.

Somehow, I have a strong suspicion that the statements made at the Fatima Interfaith Congress are prophetic in nature, and will never be retracted by the Pope or any other Vatican official. We are already headed well down the road to a one world religion in the name of Christ. The Fatima Interfaith Shrine endorsed by the Catholic Church is just one more sign. 

One final question: Will the statements made at the “Future of God” Congress held in Fatima , Portugal in October of 2003 be fulfilled? From a biblical perspective, the answer is, yes. We are living in the very period of time the Bible reveals would occur before the return of Jesus Christ.

If current events such as we have been describing are shocking to you, get ready there will be a lot more ahead. Jesus said that “many” would be deceived by “many”.[9] Wake up. Don’t be a part of that group.