Secret of Fatima

Secret of Fatima is an action and suspense novel centered on the eighty-year-old Roman Catholic mystery. On June 26, 2000, the Vatican released the original text that contained the prophetic vision of "an Angel pointing to the earth and flashing a flaming sword". It described the Holy Father, bishops, priests, and religious persons "being killed by a group of soldiers with bullets and arrows at the foot of the Cross".

Although the Church contends that the vision refers to the 1981 assassination attempt against John Paul II, many believe that it has yet to be fulfilled.

The novel, Secret of Fatima, is written by John R. VanBuskirk and published by 1stBooks Library.

The story is set prior to the secret being revealed publicly. It describes how the Vatican and CIA battle to recover the text stolen from papal archives. The Vatican, fearing the repercussion of an unplanned public announcement, chooses to mask the robbery, silence the thieves, and recover the text. The confrontation pits a monk and former CIA agent against the partner who betrayed him and the woman he once loved.

Secret of Fatima describes the apparitions of the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal and the controversy surrounding the supernatural mystery. Action packed, thought provoking, and timely, Secret of Fatima is a must read for those intrigued with the events and messages of Fatima, and the interpretation of the recently released text.

John R. VanBuskirk was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He was educated at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and received his MBA at Rockhurst University in Kansas City.

"It was a great benefit releasing my novel just as the Vatican revealed the secret on June 26," VanBuskirk explains. "I've been on national radio, interviewed by the Washington Post, and have had newspaper articles written about my novel and experiences."

He adds, "For the record, I disagree with Cardinal Ratzinger who states that the secret of Fatima pertains only to the past and not to future dangers. I believe that the Holy Father must sadly endure more suffering."

VanBuskirk trusts that his novel will endure even though the original text has been divulged. "Already controversy exists. The interpretation of the writing will always be debated and a story of a Vatican break-in, along with clandestine battles between the Church and CIA is compelling and just plain entertaining. My timing to become published couldn't have been better!"