Golly...

...it feels almost comic somehow. For those of us who remember the way things were before the events of 1989/90, reading this sort of report from Russia is just so extraordinary.

The conversion of Russia, which has been happening before our eyes since 1984, means that the Russian ruler now regards the country as a Christian one and speaks accordingly.

Putin is not a pleasant ruler. Russia is a grim place in which to live (which is partly why Christianity is so attractive with its message of hope and love).

But the central reality is this: the conversion of Russia, long the focus of so much prayer, is making the world scene unimaginably different from that of the 20th century. All a bit awkward for people who have been complaining for years that "nothing has been done about consecrating Russia" and creating all sorts of conspiracy theories to claim that the Fatima promises aren't working, the secrets haven't been revealed, etc etc etc...

Russia was consecrated to Mary, by Bl John Paul in 1984, and with the conversion happening and Christianity openly honoured by so many Russians, it will probably be normal to mention Russia aloud by name in Fatima consecrations and celebrations in  Rome and Russia and elsewhere over the next years...

But will the "Fatimist" campaigners ever admit that they were wrong, and apologise?  They have long complained that Pope John Paul was part of a big conspiracy, involved in a network of lying and deceit, and that the "real secret" has never been told, etc etc.
  Now his actions have proved themselves, and he is to be canonised. A gracious apology  from the Fatimist campaigners would be in order. Some are among the readers of this blog...