Response of the American TFP and Its America Needs Fatima Campaign to “Statement to the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Miami”

On October 18, 2022, the Communications Department of the Miami archdiocese published a statement in which it affirms that America Needs Fatima:

1. is not endorsed by the archdiocese of Miami;
2. is not allowed to solicit within the archdiocese;
3. never requested the archbishop’s permission to exercise this “prayer ministry” within the archdiocese; and,
4. that the decision [to publish this statement] was based on the organization’s “very aggressive fundraising and marketing strategies”. . .
5. and because “there are many complaints against the group posted online.”¹

These affirmations are ambiguous and biased. They insinuate that America Needs Fatima:

• has an irregular canonical situation vis-à-vis the ecclesiastical authorities; and
• is required to have some form of canonical recognition or ecclesiastical authorization in order to carry out its activities and request donations in the archdiocese.

As we shall see, both insinuations are baseless and unsupported in canonical law and doctrine.

1.  America Needs Fatima Is a Campaign of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property—TFP
America Needs Fatima is the campaign of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property—TFP to win the heart and soul of America for Mary by spreading her Fatima message and promoting devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

America Needs Fatima does not have an autonomous existence of its own. It is only one of the American TFP’s campaigns. Therefore, to answer the objections raised about America Needs Fatima, it is necessary to understand the TFP and its methods.

2.  A Civil Association of the Faithful Acting in the Temporal Sphere
The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property—TFP defines itself as an “association of Catholics,” constituted by lay members of the faithful acting in the temporal sphere under their sole responsibility, and which has structured itself under civil law. In its activities, the organization is guided by the traditional doctrine of the Supreme Magisterium of the Church.

Please note that, although Catholic-inspired, the primary theater of TFP’s activities is in temporal society. This is because TFP members see no other solution to the problems of the modern world.

The American TFP matches a type of association described by Fr. Luis Navarro, former Dean of the Canon Law Faculty and current Rector of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. After speaking about the relationship between the ecclesiastical authority and the associations of the faithful categorized in the current canonical legislation, the distinguished Spanish jurist states:

As French canonist Msgr. Dominique Le Tourneau explains when speaking about these same associations, they “are not canonical institutions, i.e., they are not the subject of rights and obligations different from those of the physical persons who form the association.”⁴

Consequently, from everything stated above, the American TFP as such is not subject to the ecclesiastical authority’s power of governance but only to its power of vigilance “in rebus fidei et morum” (in matters of faith and morals) and in what concerns ecclesiastical discipline, in the same way, and in the same measure as the members of the faithful who constitute the TFP, considered individually.

3.  The Right to Choose Either a Civil Juridical Structure or a Canonical One
The right of association of Catholics does not depend on the adoption of canonical bylaws. This right allows associations founded and directed by them to adopt a civil juridical structure.

According to Pope Leo XIII, “All such societies [private associations], being free to exist, have the further right to adopt such rules and organization as may best conduce to the attainment of their respective objects.”⁵ According to the commentators, this doctrine was incorporated into canon law.

Thus, Prof. Javier Hervada, Chair of Philosophy of Law and Natural Law at the University of Navarre, Spain, explains: “Associations, undertakings, or works of apostolic inspiration ‘established by the free choice of the laity and regulated by their prudent judgment’ (Apostolicam Actuositatem 24), can have either a civil juridical structure or a canonical one.”⁶

In the same line, Prof. Giuseppe Dalla Torre, Chair of Ecclesiastical Law at the University of Bologna, Italy, observes, “[When these associations of the faithful] pursue purposes inscribed immediately in the temporal order, and purposes in the spiritual order only mediately, the Code renounces to regulate them, consequently relegating this—even if tacitly—to civil law.”⁷

True, the present Code of Canon Law permits associations founded and directed by members of the faithful to be included in the ecclesiastical juridical order through a review (recognitio, canon 299 §3) of their bylaws. However, the Code does not order such inclusion. This is a right of freedom that cannot be blocked or imposed. The faithful use it or not, depending on their free choice. If the contrary were true, the right assured to the faithful to freely form and direct associations (see canon 215) would be gutted and rendered meaningless. The canons that regulate this right (canons 298–329) apply exclusively to those associations that have chosen to be included in the ecclesiastical juridical order.

As for an association of the faithful with a civil juridical structure declaring itself Catholic in its inspiration, methods of formation, activities, etc., not only is this a right but even a duty if the faithful do not want to betray their Baptism. They do not need, therefore, any permission or license from ecclesiastical authority to do this.⁸

4.  America Needs Fatima and Other TFP Campaigns in Defense of Christian Civilization
The American TFP furthers the values of Christian civilization in what directly concerns the temporal order or what is indirectly related to it. It does so in light of the aggression—sometimes hidden, other times open and declared—of irreconcilable adversaries of principles of the natural law and Catholic morality; thus, its motto—Tradition, Family, Property—pillars of Christian civilization.

TFP activities cover the gamut of the aberrations tormenting the nation and which result from the sinful abandonment of the Ten Commandments and the collapse of Western Christian civilization. Without intending to be exhaustive, these include:

• protests and petitions against public blasphemy and sacrilege;
• public square Rosary rallies for the nation’s conversion, to keep Christ in Christmas, and to support the police targeted by the left;
• participation in Marches for Life, Rosary rallies and vigils outside abortuaries, and other efforts against procured abortion;
• street campaigns alerting the public to the evils of Socialism;
• Rosary rallies protesting school policies promoting Critical Race Theory, LGBT and pornographic books for students, and After School Satan Clubs;
• Rosary rallies to protest satanic monuments, black Masses, baby Baphomet cribs, and other efforts to mainstream Satanism;
• Rosary rallies protesting attacks on monuments and the Marxist deconstruction of the country’s heroes and historical figures;
• Rosary rallies protesting Drag Queen Story Hour and other transgender programs in libraries, restaurants, and even churches;
• street campaigns, protests, and petitions against same-sex “marriage,” PRIDE Masses, and the LGBT ideology.

In carrying out these efforts—whether acting individually or in an associated manner—the faithful do not need any ecclesiastical recognition or authorization since it expresses a right and the fulfillment of a duty incumbent upon baptized and confirmed Catholics. Such right and duty are referenced in the Code of Canon Law, as can be seen, for example, in these canons:

5.  There Is No Canonical Basis for the Alleged Need for the Ordinary’s Authorization for America Needs Fatima Fundraising
As for the supposed need for America Needs Fatima to request the ordinary’s authorization to carry out fundraising in his diocese, there is no ordinance in the Code of Canon Law or supplemental legislation imposing this as an obligation.

The Code of Canon Law has only rules for the solicitation of alms by ecclesiastical public or private juridical persons in churches and other ecclesiastical premises. As demonstrated, the American TFP cannot be considered an ecclesiastical juridical person, whether public or private.

The mentioned rule is found in canon 1265 §1: “Without prejudice to the right of religious mendicants, any private person, whether physical or juridic, is forbidden to beg for alms for any pious or ecclesiastical institute or purpose without the written permission of that person’s own ordinary and of the local ordinary.”¹⁰

It should be noted that, in the Code of Canon Law, canon 1265 is part of Book V: The Temporal Goods of the Church—Title I: The Acquisition of Goods. It is not part of Book II: The People of God, where associations of the faithful are discussed.

This detail is important, for it provides the context in which canon 1265 is inserted. It deals with Canonical Patrimonial Law.

In that context, there is nothing applicable to an association like the American TFP. As mentioned, it is a civil association founded and directed by the faithful acting in the temporal sphere under their sole responsibility.¹²

6.  The Right to Fundraise Stems From the Right of Association
Independent of canonical stipulations, the right to freely solicit donations flows from the right of association itself. As noted by Pope Leo XIII, that right stems from human nature itself. It is not a concession from civil or religious authority.¹³

The natural right to found and direct private associations also includes the natural right to provide for their support. If private associations needed the authorization of ordinaries before collecting donations in dioceses, they would not be truly free, as their existence would depend on that authorization. In such circumstances, that natural right—which the Code of Canon Law recognizes—would be deprived of substance and expression. Accordingly, the canons that recognize the right of the faithful to freely establish and direct associations are not accompanied in the Code by the alleged restriction.

Thus, concerning such private associations, Leo XIII’s admonition to civil authorities (extendable to ecclesiastical ones as well) remains timely: “But every precaution should be taken not to violate the rights of individuals and not to impose unreasonable regulations.”¹⁴

7.  There Is Much Ecclesiastical Support for TFP Campaigns
Although developed and carried out privately under the sole responsibility of its directors, actions of the American TFP and its various campaigns, including America Needs Fatima, have garnered significant support over the years from numerous prelates, priests, and religious.

At the apex of the clergy sexual abuse scandal, legislative bills imposing the violation of the seal of Confession by priests were proposed in several states. The Church Shall Prevail campaign of the American TFP alerted the public to the scandalous attack on the Church’s freedom and labored for the bills’ tabling. To assist this TFP effort, Most Rev. Robert F. Vasa, then-bishop of Baker, Ore., wrote: “I invite you to join with [TFP Vice President] Mr. Thomas McKenna in The Church Shall Prevail campaign, which is dedicated to defending the honor of Holy Mother Church and in this specific instance, the inviolability of the Seal of Confession.”¹⁵

8.  “There Is Never Enough of Mary”
That hierarchy-erected or recognized organizations promoting devotion to Our Lady of Fatima exist is no reason to exclude other initiatives from the private sphere. The great Saint Bernard teaches, “De Maria numquam satis”—“There is never enough of Mary.”

9.  “Listen to the Other Side”
When mentioning, “there are many complaints against the group posted online,” the archdiocesan statement could have also said that many of these complaints are anonymous. In addition, it could have referenced THE TFP ANSWERS an Unsigned Attack on Its America Needs Fatima Campaign, the TFP’s online refutation of the lies contained in one of these anonymous smears. Audiatur et altera pars. “Listen to the other side,” says the ancient phrase from Roman law. To hear both sides is absolutely necessary for the good administration of justice.

10.  Why America Needs Fatima Has Not Requested the Ordinary’s Endorsement or Authorization
From everything stated above, it is easy to understand that America Needs Fatima did not request the archbishop’s endorsement because it is not needed. Similarly, it does not need his permission to solicit funds or to carry out its activities within the archdiocese.

11.  “The Holy Freedom of the Children of God”
The directors, members, and volunteers of the American TFP and its America Needs Fatima campaign are Roman Catholic faithful who are lovingly subject to the archbishop’s vigilance in matters of faith, morals, and ecclesiastical discipline, to the full extent required by Church law.

At the same time, however, they reaffirm their right (see canon 221 §1),¹⁶ acquired at Baptism, to enjoy “the holy freedom of the children of God that exists in the Church,”¹⁷ as referenced by Saint Paul the Apostle (see Rom. 8:21).

In conclusion, America Needs Fatima’s fundraising efforts are transparent and tactful. No one has ever questioned the American TFP’s legitimate use of the donations it collects.

November 2, 2022

The American TFP