Source: https://www.bertha-dudde.org/en/proclamation/2470

2470 Credibility of the traditions.... will to the truth....

September 11, 1942: Book 33

What is propagated through the human mouth is irrelevant unless its origin can be established beyond doubt, that is, unless it can be proven to be the working of the divine spirit. This is often so difficult and therefore every teaching must also be seriously examined as to how far it can be accepted according to feeling, for the heart will instruct that person correctly who strictly adheres to the truth and therefore only wants to accept such. What appears acceptable to him after serious reflection can also be regarded as truth. However, he must criticize himself as to whether he really desires the pure truth. People often just do not want to part with old traditions, but they do not account to themselves whether and to what extent such a tradition is credible. They therefore accept without examination what they should first form a judgement on through reflection. This applies to doctrines of faith as well as to the way of life and extraordinary work of people.... Everything that has been spread about it is unconditionally considered to be true, and the result is that no opposing view will assert itself since all reflection about it is prevented. But God demands this of people, that they allow the desire for truth to become active insofar as that they themselves endeavour to separate error from truth. Only this desire also develops the ability to recognize what is right and reject what is wrong. Man has no excuse for not being able to do this, for this ability is only dependent on the desire for truth. But how can the truth be conveyed to them if they are not capable of logical reasoning but only firmly and rigidly believe what is handed down to them without scrutinizing the truthfulness of the latter.... Their erroneous opinion can be refuted in the most convincing way, they persist and become ever more deeply entangled in erroneous teachings, for they lack the will and pure truth cannot be conveyed to them against their will or they do not recognize it as such. And there the endeavours of those who strictly adhere to the truth are also unsuccessful, for where the will resists, God's love can only have little effect....

Amen

Translated by Doris Boekers