VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE BEST EVANGELIZER OF MEXICO
Cardinal Rivera Confirms Juan Diego's Historicity

MEXICO CITY, DEC 17 (ZENIT).- The best evangelizer of Mexico is the
Virgin of Guadalupe. This is not something of past centuries, but a
daily contemporary event, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop
Primate of Mexico said, when addressing the "John Paul II and Virgin of
Guadalupe" International Congress, which was held in the Archdiocese of
Mexico City from December 9-12.

No theologian, pastor, religious or enlightened soul has found the
formula for inculturation of the Gospel and synthesis of theology as
Saint Mary of Guadalupe did in her apparition to Juan Diego, the
Cardinal said. "The picture of the 'Morenita' is still imprinted on the
serape and some aspects of its composition and conservation are an
inexplicable challenge to human science."

Cardinal Rivera recalled the Popes who have recognized the cult and
devotion to the Mexican Virgin of Tepeyac: Gregory XIII, Benedict XIV,
Leo XIII and John Paul II. "The words of the Supreme Pontiffs over the
centuries on the Guadalupe Event have been spoken on the foundation of
historical investigation, with fully attested scientific methodology.
This was affirmed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, after
studying the Spanish, Indian, and mixed historical sources, and
scientifically proving and guaranteeing the correct theological
interpretation of the Guadalupe message."

Referring to the controversial statements of Fr. William Schulenburg,
former Abbot of the Basilica of Guadalupe, who denies the historical
existence of Juan Diego, the Indian to whom the Virgin appeared, and is
opposed to his canonization, Cardinal Rivera warned that there will
always be persons who deny transcendental events for man's salvation.
"Over the centuries many have denied Christ's historicity or his
humanity or divinity," noted the Cardinal, but God continues to use the
same method of manifestation throughout history: simplicity.

Cardinal Rivera recalled to the words of Cardinal Darío Castrillón
Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, during his September
visit to Mexico: "I would say that in the Universal Church no one can
reasonably doubt that Blessed Juan Diego has been an emissary of the
Most Holy Mary in order to know her and love her, and in her, her Divine
Son."
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