Dear Omar:

I am sorry, but I cannot call this woman "Veronica of the Cross." That would be to imply some level of sanctity. The alleged "Veronica of the Cross" is actually Veronica Lueken of Bayside, New York.

The church has indeed made a decision on her. She is one of the few so-called visionaries that has actually been condemned by the Church. Her visions were not real.

Rather than come into obedience to the Catholic Church, according to her, our Blessed Mother supposedly bad-mouthed the local bishop for refusing to give approbation to her. Ya right!

There is still a great following of Veronica in utter disobedience to the Church. Bayside is an excellent example of why we should take with a grain of salt ALL apparitions, including Medjugorje, until they have been approved by the Church.

If we don't heed that advice, then we risk a level of emotional investment in the apparition and the visionary that may be difficult to break if the Church ultimately declares the visionary's experience to not be from God.

The followers of Veronica Lueken tagging her with the title of "Veronica of the Cross" is actually offensive. It implies that she was a victim of persecution by the Church and a person on the road to Sainthood. Neither is the case.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary