Question: A Catholic lady told me about the various messages given at the apparitions of Mary. I asked her why those things are not mentioned in the Bible. She said they are new revelations. Could this be so?

Answer: Your friend believes the messages that are given in the various apparitions even though they are not included in the Bible. She can only justify this by claiming that they are new revelations. She may not realize that this goes against both the teaching of the Bible and also the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Bible teaches that the fullness of revelation was given in Christ. Jude warns us: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3). The Christian faith has been delivered once and for all; it was already handed over when Jude wrote his letter. Christians are called to "contend" for that faith, that is, to struggle to uphold and defend the doctrines of the Christian religion given through the apostles. Since we are told that this faith is already delivered, we are not to expect new revelations from God. Indeed, we are well aware that the most devious method to destroy the pure religion of Christ is by adding new teachings.

Catholic people who are so eager to receive new messages from heaven should also note that the Catholic Church officially teaches that no further new public revelations are to be expected in our age. The Vatican Council II states: "The Christian dispensation, therefore, as the new and definitive covenant, will never pass away and we now await no further new public revelation before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Dei Verbum).

I am convinced that many Catholics eagerly seek new messages and new promises from heaven because many of them have never really understood the sweet message of the Bible. In that blessed Book we come to know a wonderful Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who fills the heart of His beloved spouse with assurance, peace and joy unspeakable.