A Roll Call of Bishops' Commentary on OLA

Bishop John D'Arcy of the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese (Rome City is located in the center of this diocese) says he accepts the ruling that nothing in Sr. Mary Ephrem's writings contradicts Catholic teaching.

Bishop David L Ricken says "Our Lady of America's message about purity, chastity and growing in one's faith through devotion to Mary and the body and blood of Christ especially resonated with young people."

Bishop Richard J Garcia of Monterey California says "Our Lady of Guadalupe is important for all the Americas but to have Our Lady of America and the Immaculate Conception as a special patroness for our nation will bring about the peace we so yearn for (and) a resolution to many social issues," including euthanasia and abortion. The Blessed Mother is so important to all of us Roman Catholics, and Christian people in particular, and, specifically for our country, for peace within our land; and the intercession of our Blessed Mother is so important on many issues that affect us morally and socially. Marian devotions, including those to Our Lady of America, also can lead the faithful to really listen to Christ's message that all must be "bearers of the Gospel and bring about Christ's love," he said.

Archbishop Raymond Burke, formerly of St.Louis and now serving as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura and President of the Commission for Advocates, issued an opinion letter on Our Lady of America and shared it with his fellow bishops in 2007.

"What can be concluded canonically is that the devotion was both approved by Archbishop Leibold and, what is more, was actively promoted by him. In addition, over the years, other Bishops have approved the devotion and have participated in public devotion to the Mother of God, under the title of Our Lady of America."

"Although the devotion to Our Lady of America has remained constant over the years, in recent years, the devotion has spread very much and has been embraced by many with special fervor," he wrote.

"Our Lady of America calls the people of our nation to the new evangelization through a renewed dedication to purity in love."

Archbishop Burke also noted a distinguished difference between Our Lady of America and Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is considered "Empress of all the Americas."

The two devotions, he said, are "completely harmonious," however, Our Lady of America is considered the patroness of the United States.