On September 11, 1998, the local Bishop of Wollongong, Most Reverend Bishop Philip Wilson formally announced in writing his opening an ecclesiastical investigation of the Little Pebble and the Mission given to him.
The matters involved in an ecclesiastical investigation are governed by the 1983 Code of Canon Law. Furthermore, it is a contentious case requiring complete fairness in allowing the evidence to be brought forward by both parties. As a Catholic, the Little Pebble has the right to present, vindicate and defend his cause in its full integrity within the provisions of law. The accountability of the Bishop and of the Little Pebble is a matter of natural justice – in other words to have the protection of Law and proper procedure to safeguard the rights and dignity of those concerned. This is not dispensable!
 | Canon Law protects the Little Pebble’s right to his own defense in view of the accusations (Canon 221). It is only within the radius of the investigating Tribunal’s jurisdiction that accountability is in place with the necessary auditing for the public record. This guarantees that proper procedure was followed at every stage. |
| It is also a principle of fairness (Natural Justice) that a person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. To be sentenced without trial of the evidence from the main person concerned – the Little Pebble is a serious error of Law (Canon 50, Canon 221). The consequences of which could involve further litigation. The right of appeal to higher authority must be upheld and suspends any execution of a Decree(Canon 1628, 1638). |
| The Bishop (and Commission) must pursue as a matter of principle: the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God An unjust law does not bind in conscience (Canon 14) and a Decree must be based upon necessary information and proof and allow for consultation with those whose rights could be harmed (Canon 50). On this point there was a defect of Natural Justice (or lack of procedural fairness) in not informing the Little Pebble in advance that a negative judgment (Decree) was about to be made – and to request further evidence of corroboration in defense of his cause. This amounts to a serious error of Law, which makes the Decree unlawful. |
| The rules for the gathering of evidence are critical to the discernment of the facts and merits of the evidence to be presented by the Little Pebble (Canon 1572). A Notary is also required to correctly record all testimony as authentic in the examination of witnesses (Canons 1558 through 1571). To this date, the Media have held sway in their libelous presentation of un-truths! The Pastoral care of Bishop Wilson requires that he uphold each and every one of his faithful of the Diocese of Wollongong. He has not defended the good name and reputation of the Little Pebble – one of the more vulnerable members of his Flock against the ravenous wolves who ceaselessly label him with cult terminology and unethical accusations. By his recent Press Release he has allowed the errors and rash judgments of Media types who are clearly prejudiced – to influence public opinion against the Little Pebble. |
It is only within this accountability that the testimony of the
Little Pebble can be protected in its integrity. It establishes the context
of the Commission’s own accountability. In summary: it is only possible
to attain to the truth where the protection of Law is operative -- that
a full auditing of the facts is ascertained and guaranteed by authentic
testimony under oath. To this date, the Little Pebble has not been summoned
by the Bishop (or his delegate; or Commission) to answer to the various
accusations! He was never advised of any negative judgment impending. He
was never asked to provide further corroborative evidence in support of
his claims!
On the 27th September 1999, Bishop Wilson issued a formal Decree against the Little Pebble. This was sent by fax to the Little Pebble. This Decree is scandalous, unlawful and a blatant abuse of power. This action of Bishop Wilson ought to receive a strong protest from all who believe in the Little Pebble.
"I mean that men of learning and ability are so often wrong in religious matters also… No it should not surprise us when men of acute and powerful understanding more or less reject the Gospel, for this reason, that the Christian revelation addresses itself to our hearts, to our love of truth and goodness, our fear of sinning, and our desire to gain God’s favour; and quickness, sagacity, depth of thought, strength of mind, power of comprehension, perception of the beautiful, power of language, and the like, though they are excellent gifts, are clearly quite of a different kind from these spiritual excellences – a man may have the one without having the other… because there is no necessary connection between faith and ability… because ability of mind is a gift, and faith is a grace." [1]
There is no room for laziness (indolence) in such important matters that require justice, fairness and proper procedure according to the norms of law. Cardinal Newman says clearly:
"Is it not plain that earnestness is necessary for gaining religious truth? On the other hand, is it not a natural effect of ability to save us trouble, and even to tempt us to dispense with it, and to lead us to be indolent? Do not we see this even in the case of children – the more clever are more idle, because they rely on their own quickness of power and apprehension? Is indolence the way to gain knowledge from God? Yet this surely is continually forgotten in the world." [2]
Is it not possible to have certitude in matters of belief? Is agnosticism the only principle to follow in the methodology of an investigation? Many today, choose to judge Seers and Apparitions from "afar". They sit back in their cozy armchairs in air-conditioned offices and survey the Seer through an "intellectual telescope" which is sterilized from the real contact with the subject of the investigation! Real contact would require coming to the Apparition Site and at the very least to meet the Seer and what he represents. To experience first hand the fruits of the work of God. At the very least – a delegate of the Bishop could be sent out to do the "field-work" of gathering real data. Unfortunately, the Media reports seem to suffice for many as "authentic" information about the Seer. etc.
"In these and other ways do men deceive themselves into a carelessness about religious truth. And is not all this varied negligence sufficient to account for the varieties of religious opinion which we see all around us? ….Doubtless if they gave a half or a quarter of the time to prayer for Divine guidance which they give to amusement or recreation, or which they give to dispute or contention, they would ever be approximating to each other…. That is, we create confusion by our negligence and disobedience, and then excuse our negligence by the existence of that confusion. It is no uncommon thing, I say, for men to say, "that in religious matters God has willed that men should differ," and do not support their opinion by no better argument than the fact that they do differ; and they go on to conclude that therefore we need not perplex ourselves about matters of faith, about which, after all, we cannot be certain." [3]
It is so necessary to seek religious truth with an open mind. Obviously, this does not mean that we sacrifice dogmatic facts and the authentic teaching of the Magisterium! However, by working from within the Deposit of Faith and by using sound principle of "faith seeking understanding" – we can all arrive at truth. Again Cardinal Newman gives clear insight against those who are agnostic in principle:
"To all such arguments against religious truth, it is sufficient to reply, that no one who does not seek the truth with all his heart and strength, can tell what is of importance and what is not; that to attempt carelessly to decide on points of faith or morals is a matter of serious presumption; that no one knows whither [where] he will be carried if he seeks the Truth perseveringly, and therefore, that since he cannot see at first starting the course into which his inquiries will be divinely directed, he cannot possibly say beforehand whether they may not lead him on to certainty as to things which at present he thinks trifling or extravagant or irrational. "What I do," said Our Lord to St Peter, "though knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." "Seek and ye shall find;" this is the Divine rule, "If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." [4]
Everyone ought to act according to his own faith and not be ruled by self-interest or the "political" exigency of those who want to pressurise the situation in order to force the issue to fit into a preconceived category. To be a great leader of God’s People requires strength from God and not from human pressure groups. Listen to Cardinal Newman on this point:
"This is a subject which cannot too strongly be insisted on. Act up to your light, though in the midst of difficulties, and you will be carried on, you do not know how far. Abraham obeyed the call and journeyed, not knowing whither [where] he went, so we, if we follow the voice of God, shall be brought on step by step into a new world, of which before we had no idea. This is His gracious way with us: He gives, not all at once, but by measure and season, wisely. To him that hath, more shall be given. But we must begin at the beginning. Each truth has its own order; we cannot join the way of life at any point of the course we please…. Religious men are always learning; but when men refuse to profit by light already granted, their light is turned to darkness. Observe Our Lord’s conduct with the Pharisees. They asked Him on what authority He acted. He gave them no direct answer, but referred them to the mission of John the Baptist." [5]
"Undeniable, then, as is the doctrine that God does not reveal Himself to those who do not seek Him, it is certain that its truth is not really felt by us, or we should seek Him more earnestly than we do. Nothing is more common than to think that we shall gain religious knowledge as a thing of course, without express trouble on our part. Though there is no art or business of this world which is learned without time and exertion, yet it is commonly conceived that the knowledge of God and our duty will come as if by accident or by a natural process." [6]
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Malcolm L. Broussard, Jr.
