By Thea Jarvis

In a statement distributed to the priests of the archdiocese, Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, has provided guidance on reported apparitions of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rockdale County.

“At this time, circumstances do not warrant a formal investigation into these events,” the statement said, adding that the archbishop was closely monitoring the reaction of the local Church.

The statement said that cults and devotional practices should not distract Catholics from the church’s central dogma and liturgical rites. At the same time, “we cannot deny the possibility that God might continue to disclose Himself by means of timely or historical self-revelation,” the statement said.

Noting that the Church “has always approached events of this nature with great caution and advisedly so,” the statement quoted Acts 5: 38-39: “Leave them alone, for if this plan and work of theirs is a man-made thing, it will disappear; but if it comes from God you cannot possibly defeat them.”

Those drawn to the events at Conyers were reminded that the sacramental life of the parish is the main worship of the faithful and that the Eucharist nourishes faith and should be accorded primary devotion.

Since the reported apparitions are without any formal Church approval, “no parish facilities may be used for the fostering of any devotion,” but parish priests and pastors should offer counsel and reassurance to those inquiring about the events, the statement said.

Because of a possible disruption of contemplative life at the nearby Monastery of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, Archbishop Lyke requested that Abbot Bernard Johnson and the Trappist monks “cease any direct relationship with the activities and events surrounding the purported apparitions in Rockdale County.”

In a separate letter to the abbot and monks, the archbishop underscored the importance to the archdiocese of Atlanta of the contemplative prayer and life of the Trappist community. “People may come to the monastery and participate in its devotional life, as the people of this archdiocese have always done,” he wrote. “However, no special provisions should be made regarding the events taking place in Rockdale County. Rather, the people who travel to Rockdale County and wish to avail themselves of the contemplative atmosphere of the monastery must accommodate themselves to the monastic way of life.”

The letter also noted that even formally approved apparitions of Mary, such as at Fatima, Portugal and Guadalupe, “remain essentially private religious experiences” not dogmatic truths of the Catholic faith.

The reported apparitions in Rockdale County involve Nancy Fowler, a 43-year-old housewife and mother of two sons. Mrs. Fowler, a parishioner of St. Pius X Church in Conyers, is a native of Boston.

In interviews with The Georgia Bulletin, she claimed visits from Jesus, Mary and the saints, global and personal messages from God and his Mother, divine guidance regarding a pilgrim site and a sense that the United States is being called back to God.

“This is a period of grace for all mankind,” she said describing herself as “a soul most in need of (God’s) mercy.”

She said regular monthly Marian apparitions began October 13, 1990 and are intended “to prepare us to meet her Son.”

Mrs. Fowler said she has had mystical experiences since the mid-1980’s. In February, 1987, she was in despair over her husband’s changing career and said she had a singular vision.

“My life was spun around in an instant” when she saw Jesus appear, wordlessly, with a look of compassion directed at her.

In 1987, she visited Medjugorje, Yugoslavia, where young people have claimed visions of Mary and messages for the world. She said she had never heard of the site before that March, when someone shared the information with her.

The Fowlers came to the Atlanta area in 1988. According to Mrs. Fowler, she was led to her Conyers home through a vision of a backyard hill that was to become a place of prayer.

On Friday, Sept. 13, record-breaking heat did not deter several hundred people from converging on a Conyers farm near the Fowler home to await a visitation from the Blessed Mother. The site just off Highway 138 on White Road has been donated to Mrs. Fowler and her supporters to accommodate growing numbers who come to witness reported apparitions said to occur on the 13th of each month. Prior to September, gatherings had been held at the Fowler home on Highway 138.

Despite a confusing road work detour north of Interstate 20, people managed to find their way to the new site, parking cars, vans and charter buses in orderly rows in front of the property. Many had come from outside the state of Georgia.

A young boy with a rosary hung around his neck directed traffic in the unpaved driveway. Asked why he wasn’t in school, he replied amiably, “I’m from Virginia.”

By 11:30 a.m., a sizable crowd had gathered outside the gray frame farmhouse that sits on a grassy hill overlooking the road. It was a mix of young children, middle-agers, babies in strollers, senior citizens, the disabled, families and prayer groups traveling together. People greeted one anther and sang hymns while awaiting Mrs. Fowler’s arrival. Some wandered over to buy a copy of a book recording reported messages to Mrs. Fowler that was offered for $3.95 and sold from the back of a van.

“Everyone comes for their own reasons,” said Raymond Mallette, who with his wife, Carmen, had traveled from Harrisburg, N.C. Don and Shirley Glotzbach, from Fowler, Indiana, said they had met people from Ohio, Nebraska and Florida in the motel where they were staying.

When Mrs. Fowler arrived shortly before noon, she entered the “apparition room” at the front of the house and the first of 15 decades of the rosary was begun. Soon, those outside heard Mrs. Fowler’s voice over the public address system: “behold the Mother of God. She comes with the Infant Jesus in her arms.” It was announced that the Blessed Mother would have a message for the United States at the end of the sorrowful mysteries and that she would remain with the people until the rosary was completed.

Although visitors had been requested to put away cameras once the Blessed Mother had reportedly appeared, many continued to film the event, some shooting close to the apparition room with video-cameras. Most onlookers prayed the rosary quietly, reciting intercessions and singing an “Ave Maria” refrain between decades. Alternating groups of 25 people were allowed to spend time in the apparition room.

A short-lived grass fire near a parked car caused a minor interruption early on. As firemen hosed down the area, people moved to an open field in back of the house where praying resumed.

In the field, people knelt or stood with rosaries in hand, some taking turns leading the prayer. The blistering heat was a hardship, and water was handed out by volunteers. Nancy Fowler knelt at the center of the crowd, intermittently announcing words that the Blessed Mother reportedly spoke to her.

“Offer this time now as a sacrifice to her Son,” said Mrs. Fowler. “Man’s efforts to stop her visits here are great. He will not succeed.”

At the end of the sorrowful mysteries, Mrs. Fowler gave the message reportedly communicated to her.

“My dear children of America, make a decision to love God and to stand in faith. The days are rapidly approaching when your faith will be greatly tested. Be strong in my Son.”

“My children, you must stop offending God. Greater sufferings are awaiting you. Do not think that crisis will not come. Please stop offending my Son. Return to God and obey his laws. As your loving mother, I bless you.”

After the message, people began pointing to the sky, then looking directly into the sun, which they said was spinning and pulsating. Although some saw nothing but the white hot noonday orb, many claimed to see something more.

Following these events, some in the crowd moved closer to the house to finish the rosary, while others gathered in small groups to talk and pray. Many said they smelled roses, a fragrance they said indicated the presence of Mary.

Kevin Gebel of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Coral Springs, Florida, came with his wife, Joan and children Kristen and Kevin Jr. The family had traveled to Medjugorje a year ago, where young Kevin, 7, had been healed of an immune deficiency that was causing severe respiratory problems.

After Medjugorje, “I wasn’t feeling all yucky anymore,” Kevin said, adding that in Yugoslavia he had seen the Blessed Mother in a cloud.

Beth Morson, 22, who had traveled with a group of students and graduates of the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, was visiting Conyers for the second time.

“I think we have to be aware,” she said. “We can’t believe everything we hear. But we have to be open.”

The alleged apparitions in Conyers come at a time when Marian messages and appearances are being reported around the world. An Eastern regional conference in Pittsburgh this July brought together an estimated 5,000 believers who gathered to hear “visionaries” and on Marian apparitions.