The following is a response by Luz de Maria de Bonilla and Rafael Piaggio to the recent National Catholic Register blog article by Susan Brinkmann entitled “Beware of So-Called ‘Church Approved’ Coronavirus Prevention” published on May 19, 2020[1]https://www.ncregister.com/blog/brinkmann/oil-of-the-good-samaritan and on Aciprensa in a Spanish translation by Cynthia Pérez on May 28[2]https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/la-virgen-propone-usar-aceites-contra-el-coronavirus-cuidado-con-esta-cadena-55534 (Note: our Contributor, Mark Mallett, also responded with an article called The Real Witchcraft).
Translator’s note
The purpose of publishing the text below is absolutely not to denigrate Susan Brinkmann’s broader work for Women of Grace and the National Catholic Register, nor the commentators cited in her article, such as Michael O’Neill, whose “Miracle Hunter” website has proved such a precious resource for many interested in the field of Catholic Private Revelation. It is rather to offer a considered, thorough and theologically-grounded response to some of the important issues raised by Susan Brinkmann’s publication, particularly as concerns the relationship between authentic Church Teaching, natural medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. These are questions with regard to which we, like Luz de Maria de Bonilla and Rafael Piaggio, are convinced that have been some crucial misunderstandings that require rectification in the interests of intellectual honesty and responsible journalism.
I would further like to add that, while it is obviously technically correct to state that the according of an Imprimatur by a bishop to published material simply indicates that there are no grounds for objections to it on the basis of Catholic faith and morals, Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara went beyond such a technical indication when granting the Imprimatur to the writings of in Luz de María in 2017. He additionally offered a strong personal recommendation which, while naturally not infallible, surely merits prayerful consideration. In the letter granting the Imprimatur he stated :
I have reviewed with faith and interest these volumes entitled, THY KINGDOM COME, and have come to conclusion that they are a call to humanity to return to the path that leads to eternal life, and that these messages are an exhortation from heaven in these times in which man must be careful not to stray from the Divine Word.
In each revelation given to Luz de María, Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary guide the steps, the work, and the actions of the people of God in these times in which humanity needs to return to the teachings contained in Holy Scripture.
The messages in these volumes are a treatise of spirituality, divine wisdom, and morality for those who welcome them with faith and humility, so I recommend them for you to read, meditate upon, and put into practice.[3]https://www.countdowntothekingdom.com/why-luz-de-maria-de-bonilla/
Peter Bannister, MTh, MPhil
Contributor to Countdown to the Kingdom
BACKGROUND
In human history various events have occurred that demonstrate our errors when judging specific facts, people or situations:
THE POWER TO CONDEMN:
In history, one person unjustly condemned was Galileo Galilei, who was condemned by the Inquisition for spreading scientific ideas about Copernicus’s heliocentric theory in the 17th century.[4]http://www.historia-religiones.com.ar/la-inquisicion-y-la-revolucion-cientifica-81 However, 359 years, 4 months and 9 days later on October 30, 1992, Pope John Paul II apologized for his unjust sentence.[5]https://elpais.com/diario/1992/10/31/sociedad/720486009_850215.html
Another case was that of Joan of Arc, executed on May 30, 1431, 589 years ago. In this regard it is said that “Joan was captured by the Burgundians and handed over to the English. The clergy convicted her of heresy and Duke John of Bedford burned her alive in Rouen. Most of the data on his life are based on the records of the trial, but to some extent they lack credibility, since, according to various witnesses present at the trial, they were subjected to a multitude of corrections by order of Bishop Pierre Cauchon, as well as the introduction of false data.”[6]https://abcblogs.abc.es/fahrenheit-451/otros-temas/juana-de-arco.html. English translation Peter Bannister (PB)">https://abcblogs.abc.es/fahrenheit-451/otros-temas/juana-de-arco.html; English translation Peter Bannister (PB)
These two cases are sufficient for understanding a concept that doubtless has been repeated in many cases: people who express notions that are not accepted by people with some type of power – public or Church authorities, press etc. — can be condemned by others in order to uphold the status quo or suppress some new idea, putting to one side the fact that the underlying concept, which may be true, deserves to be investigated in greater depth and more seriously. It is obvious that a condemnation may be sped up and the rights of people crushed, if behind it there are other hidden interests. In any case, any serious evaluation, anywhere in the world, must at a minimum give the accused an opportunity for self-defense and, furthermore, what they say must be listened to, not just heard. As the saying puts it: “there is time for truths”.
The best proof of the basic idea stated above can be found in Genesis Chapter 3, verse 11: “He replied, ‘And who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree that I forbade you?’” God knew beforehand that Adam had eaten of the forbidden fruit, but even so He asked him a question before passing sentence. In fact, we can consider that what was going to be taken into account was the attitude that Adam was going to adopt at that moment. Seen from this perspective, it is worth noting that Adam at least had the opportunity to defend himself – granted by the supreme authority that exists – and for the rest of us who are always learning, there all must always be such a space for offering explanations, or else for defending ourselves. We have made it clear that, when the article that we are questioning here was published, there was no such opportunity. Why?
NATURAL MEDICINE:
All plants are part of God’s creation, and for this reason it is said in Genesis 1:11: “then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so.”
There is no doubting the importance of plants and trees for modern medicine; for a long time, natural remedies and medicinal plants were the main and even the sole resource available to doctors; all cultures across the planet and in all eras have used medicinal plants as the basis for their own medicine. (Núñez M. E., 1982)[7]“Las Plantas Medicinales – Revistas UNED”, Alonso Quesada Hernández, Revista Biocenosis / Vol. 21 (1-2) 2008. https://www.google.co.cr Translation PB
In this way, Sumerians, Egyptians, Chinese and all cultures used the natural resources available to them in order to seek treatments for combating whatever pathologies presented themselves.
The Incas were massacred[8]https://historia.nationalgeographic.com.es/a/dia-que-se-fraguo-fin-imperio-inca_6764 along with their whole culture, under the pretext that they were practising witchcraft.[9]https://www.boletomachupicchu.com/medicina-inca/ However, this people even carried out brain surgery.[10]https://www.muyinteresante.es/cultura/articulo/los-incas-fueron-expertos-cirujanos-de-craneos-861528794520 See also https://elcomercio.pe/tecnologia/ciencias/incas-enfermedades-evitaban-trataban-mexico-colombia-espana-argentina-ecpm-noticia-642920-noticia/
Fear and ignorance have done great damage.
In his Homily in Cochabamba, Bolivia on May 11, 1988 on his apostolic trip to Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay, Pope John Paul II made the following declaration:
I want to address you now, Quechua peasants, from Cochabamba, a rural land par excellence: men of the “lineage of bronze”, who from time immemorial have populated these valleys and are at the roots of the Bolivian nation, you who have given the world your nutritional and medicinal discoveries such as potatoes, corn and quinoa. The Lord continues to accompany your work with his aid. He cares for the birds of the sky, for the lilies that grow in the field, for the grass that sprouts from the earth (Mt 6, 26-30).
Such is the deep sense of the presence of God that you must find in your relationship with the earth, which for you encompasses land, water, stream, hills, slopes, ravines, the animals, plants and trees. Because the whole earth is the work of creation that is God’s gift to us. So as you contemplate the earth, the crops as they grow, the plants that ripen and the animals being born, raise your thoughts to God on high, God the creator of the universe, who has manifested himself to us in Christ Jesus, our Brother and Savior. In this way you can reach Him, glorify Him and thank Him: “Because the invisible nature of God, from the creation of the world, allows itself to be seen by the intelligence through his works.[11]http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/es/homilies/1988/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19880511_cochabamba.html Translation PB (cf Rom 1:20)
It is therefore not surprising that natural resources can potentially be used to treat certain diseases and not only what is produced by pharmaceutical companies.
THE USE OF OIL IN THE BIBLE AND IN THE CHURCH:
Holy Scripture contains several chapters and verses in which the use of essential oils in ancient times is mentioned. Their use was part of the life of the Hebrews, Jews and Christians in the times of the Old and New Testaments. This can be verified by seeing the references to oils and/or plants with which they are produced, in 36 books of the Old Testament and in 10 of the 27 books of the New Testament. Their uses range from the anointing of prophets and kings, as can be seen in I Samuel 16:12-13…
[Jesse] sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
…to embalming bodies, making perfume and profiting from their healing properties. The Bible mentions twelve essential oils: frankincense, myrrh, galbanum, cassia, nard, cypress, aloes (sandalwood), rose of Sharon (cistus), myrtle, cedar, hyssop and onycha.[12]http://www.oile.mx/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Los-12-Aceites-de-la-Biblia.pdf Essential oils come from plants created by God on the third day of creation for human well-being.
In addition, on Pentecost Sunday May 27, 2012, eight years ago, Pope Benedict XVI declared these interesting words in a document entitled “REGINA CÆLI”:
The Spirit, who “has spoken through the prophets”, with the gifts of wisdom and knowledge continues to inspire women and men who engage in the pursuit of truth, offering original ways of understanding and of delving into the mystery of God, of man and of the world. In this context, I am delighted to announce that on 7 October, at the start of the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, I will proclaim St John of Avila and St Hildegard of Bingen Doctors of the universal Church. These two great witnesses of the faith lived in two very different historical periods and cultural environments. Hildegard was a Benedictine nun in the heart of medieval Germany, an authentic teacher of theology and a profound scholar of natural science and music. […] Especially in light of the project for a new evangelization, to which the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, mentioned above will be dedicated on the eve of the Year of Faith, these two Saints and Doctors are of considerable and timely importance. Even today, through their teaching, the Spirit of the Risen Lord continues to resonate his voice and illuminate the way which leads to the Truth that alone can set us free and give full meaning to our lives. Praying the Regina Caeli together — for the last time this year — let us invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary that the Church may be powerfully animated by the Holy Spirit, in order to witness to Christ’s Gospel with evangelical honesty and to open herself ever more to the fullness of truth.[13]http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/angelus/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_reg_20120527_pentecoste.html
So who was she?
Hildegard von Bingen, also known as the Sibyl of the Rhine, was an abbess, poet, philosopher, mystic and composer born in 1098 (her date of birth is not known exactly) in Bermersheim-Alzey and died on September 17, 1179 in Rupertsberg in Bingen. Both localities are in what is now the federal state of Rheinland-Pfalz. On her 919th birthday and in our own troubled times, it seems pertinent to recall her teachings on the unity of body and soul, and the importance of caring for both.
Hildegard is also considered one of the most influential composers of the High Middle Ages and as having a great interest in healing medicine using plants and foodstuffs. In her writings she left a great deal of documentation on medicinal plants and posited her ideas about the connection between the environment, the soul and the body as a fundamental factor in the health of the individual. Somewhat akin to the beginning of the expression “healthy mind, healthy body.”
She herself attributed her knowledge to the Grace of God and apparently had various visions and mystical encounters. She also famously stands out as being a woman who was progressive for her time. It is said that politicians and people from all social classes sought her advice, as they considered her to be a woman of good and fair judgment. —Victoria de la Cruz, ‘Hildegard von Bingen y el poder curativo de la naturaleza’, September 18, 2017;[14]https://alemaniaparati.diplo.de/mxdz-es/aktuelles/hilgeardvonbingen/1079572 Translation PB.
In this way, through visions Saint Hildegard von Bingen received a series of remedies based on medicinal plants and stones, at a time when medicine was little-developed. In her time she was even accused of being a “witch”, whereas, in our own times, as already mentioned, Pope Benedict XVI named her a Doctor of the Church in 2012. This is just one example of how man naturally rejects everything new and believes that he has complete knowledge, while God, Eternal Wisdom, is the master of Science and Knowledge, and reveals it to whom He wishes. So it has always been, is, and will be.
MEDICINE IN CURRENT AFFAIRS
Amos 3:7: “For the Lord does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.”
In our times, and through the prophet Luz de María, the Blessed Mother has revealed the use of the Oil of the Good Samaritan for the prevention of unknown diseases, which both the Virgin Mary and Our Lord Jesus Christ as well as Saint Michael the Archangel have revealed will appear. On October 10, 2018, Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
I call you to unite, to unify and intensify fraternity, I call you to collect the Messages in which My Mother or I have provided you with the natural medicines necessary for you to face [15]The entry on “Dictionary of the Spanish Royal Academy on the Spanish verb “enfrentar” refers back to “afrontar” [to confront]. The third meaning of “afrontar” says: “To face a danger, problem, or compromising situation.” the great pestilences, plagues, diseases and chemical contamination to which you as Humanity will be exposed, because it is not only Nature that is rebelling against man, but also those who with petty and selfish interests, have conspired to exterminate a great part of Humanity. (Emphasis added)[16]https://www.revelacionesmarianas.com/EPIDEMIAS.html; Translation PB.
In accordance with the above, we understand that natural medicine is an aid for facing present dangers and those to come.
The particularity of the new diseases revealed to Luz de María is that they are not known to man, and in some cases, they are created by man himself in laboratories, meaning that up until now, present-day medicine does not have a cure to combat them adequately, and it is enough to examine the question of the current pandemic to confirm that the above is the case.
So why could a natural medicine that helps us face diseases not be revealed?
Now, in which context would revealed natural medicine help us? The weakening of human health. Apart from the universal devastation of the environment — except that here there is also disagreement — with the consequent climate change, the destruction of God’s Creation by man for years — food has been contaminated through techniques of genetic modification: Transgenic Food.[17]http://farmtoconsumer.org/news/pakalert-press_051009-50-harmful-effects-of-gm-food.pdf The latter has been echoed exponentially because it has been introduced by means of the natural fear that we have of hunger, and has therefore been sold to us with the argument of “nutritional security”. Meaning that we can and should use genetic modification of food to attain a guarantee of such security.[18]http://fundacion-antama.org/los-cultivos-transgenicos-y-su-contribucion-a-la-seguridad-alimentaria/">https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/OBMD/article/view/57946 See also http://fundacion-antama.org/los-cultivos-transgenicos-y-su-contribucion-a-la-seguridad-alimentaria/ These food products are ingested both by people and by the animals with which they feed themselves (chickens, fish, pigs and cows), resulting in a weakening of the human body, which is not capable of processing chemicals and genetically modified compounds that the human body is not prepared to assimilate — I ask you, has cancer increased? In this way, farm animals are given antibiotics to prevent them from getting sick and these antibiotics are transferred to those who consume them, generating resistance in the human body to their effect. As a result, as they cease to be effective in treating bacteria, superbacteria are developing which standard medicine has great difficulty in treating. Things are still worse if, as weapons of mass extinction — even for the purpose of reducing the population — they are surreptitiously created in laboratories.
1 Timothy 2:4: “[…] because He wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
It is for this reason that we consider that Heaven, attentive to the needs of the Children of God, has been supplying, through the Blessed Virgin Mary, natural medicines to allow us — to face, and with faith — these new diseases, many of the which, as indicated by the Blessed Mother and Our Lord Jesus Christ, have been created in laboratories. And this can possibly be corroborated by recent news in which several countries around the world have mentioned that they are investigating the origin of Covid-19, since they have great suspicions that this virus was created in a laboratory in Wuhan. Curiously, in the 2011 film “Contagion“, there is talk of a virus that becomes a pandemic and is born in Wuhan, China.[19]https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-51371643 Coincidence?
The following are some, but not necessarily all, of the objections towards statements included in your publication and that need to be rectified:
FIRST OBJECTION:
Regarding what is indicated in the following paragraphs, the [NCR] article says:
As convincing as it all may sound, these revelations are raising eyebrows because they appear to contradict Church teaching found in the Ethical and Religious Directives for Healthcare Services. Based upon Pope John Paul II’s encyclical letter On the Value and Inviolability of Human Life (Evangelium Vitae),[20]http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html the Directives state: “A person has a moral obligation to use ordinary or proportionate means of preserving his or her life.” This is particularly true in the case of life-threatening or communicable diseases.
The foregoing comment does not apply, since the seer has never said that ordinary and proportionate means are not to be used to preserve life. Quite to the contrary, in audio published on the Revelaciones Marianas website 4 months ago, called Prevention Alert,[21]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgvTY4Xa-W0 before Covid 19 was declared a Pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), here is a literal quote from the text of the sixth paragraph of the transcription of the audio:
The World Health Organization has not yet classified it as a pandemic, but as an aggressive and easily transmitted virus. That is why we have to be vigilant and maintain all the preventive measures conveyed by Health Organizations. But, above all, as Children of God, we have to keep our faith firm and strong, so that we properly treasure and practice everything that Heaven tells us, but always coupled with an invincible faith such as is the desire of Our Lord Jesus Christ and for our good. (Emphasis added)
At no point is it indicated not to follow the guidelines of the health authorities. In addition, in the final paragraphs of the audio transcription, the prophet indicates the following:
…The knowledge and the preparation offered to us by governmental organisms is necessary, and we have to be prepared to abide by the indications…
Similarly, on the Revelaciones Marianas web page a brochure[22]https://www.revelacionesmarianas.com/en/MEDICINAL%20PLANTS.pdf is presented that brings together all the natural medicines recommended by the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in the introduction there is a literal indication of the need to consult a doctor before using natural medicines. Here are the details of what is presented on the page:
In this brochure, we have classified plants by disease type in order to locate them more easily. The doses and forms of use, in the cases where Our Mother has not indicated them, should be investigated by each person, with the brochure about medicinal plants published on the page being usable as a guideline. It is also important that for each person to analyze the contraindications regarding the use of certain plants or the effects they may have when combined with any medical treatment being taken, for which it is advisable to consult a doctor. (Emphasis added).
SECOND OBJECTION:
Regarding the article’s comment: ‘Speaking on behalf of Dr. Russel Osguthorpe, an infectious disease physician and chief medical officer for essential oil supplier doTERRA, spokesman Kevin Wilson told Salon in March 2020: “doTERRA recognizes essential oils have profound health and wellness benefits, but we do not claim that our products prevent, treat or cure illnesses or diseases, including COVID-19.”‘
Before continuing, let us consider, even if it is a truism, that the All-Seeing One sees all the things that we cannot see. Why can He not reveal through the Blessed Mother the things that He wants to indicate to us? Why would Our Lady instruct us to use something that is not scientifically proven? — except that you are giving the interpretation that such authorization is required, with the eventual economic benefit of one or more companies — Why should God have to adapt to public health policies to protect us during a serious public health emergency? Why would He give messages that at least include a recommendation to obey local health policy or seek sound medical advice?
It is important to indicate that the comment questioned above has no raison d’être, since the message of the Blessed Virgin does not indicate that the Oil of the Good Samaritan should be used for Covid-19: the Virgin indicates that it should be used for contagious diseases. On the other hand, saying that all the recommendations of the Virgin must be approved by the public health authorities — of the 194 countries that exist in the world, in many of which only natural medicine is available — is a comment that we consider arrogant: placing health authorities above God — from which we can read between the lines that the author of the article considers that the human knowledge of health authorities is greater than that which the Blessed Virgin can have by instruction from the Creator. In addition, it follows that the Virgin ought to request permission from the health authorities in order to be able to make a recommendation.
The truth is not grounded in her words but in the fact that, if it is His Will, God will say and do as He wants, and we hope to be able to recognize it and comply with it to the extent that it concerns us.
On many occasions, local and international health authorities have other interests, such as favoring certain pharmaceutical companies, so their recommendations are not always oriented towards the greater well-being of the population. Frequently, the most powerful companies influence the approval of medicines, covered by very costly patents, that are not necessarily the best alternative that there could be.
THIRD OBJECTION
The article quotes the following comment by Mr. Michael O¨Neill: ‘”While St. Bernadette was pointed to the waters of Lourdes by Our Lady, typically Mary doesn’t recommend natural remedies or flout medical advice,” O’Neill said. “This appears to be a non-standard request of Mary in an apparition and therefore casts some doubts on the validity of these apparitions.”’
With regard to the healing water of Lourdes,[23]https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/esto-es-todo-lo-que-debe-saber-sobre-la-famosa-agua-de-lourdes-96309 as is well-known, the water as such does not have healing properties, but simple souls received the water of Lourdes with love when the Blessed Mother left it to Bernadette, and the faith of those souls obtained thousands of miracles through the intercession of our Blessed Mother. This phenomenon reveals a rule to us consisting of the fact that the remedy starts from a natural element created and supplied by God and, in parallel, faith in the Mother of God. These miracles should be widely known to Mr. Michael O¨Neill, whose comment is quoted above and who devotes himself to “miracle hunting.”
Why should the same reasoning or rule not therefore apply to the case at hand? Let us note that, in the case of the recommendation of the Blessed Virgin to use a mixture of essential oils, this is one more manifestation of Divine Love in protecting His children through the Blessed Mother. God the Father our Creator has given them to us for our good and has allowed us to be taught how to use them to defend and protect ourselves. This is especially important in the time in which we are living, where humanity is exposed to a pandemic — an event posterior to the announcement regarding the oil — where billions of people need medicines to defend themselves and many of them do not have access to the resources to receive — potentially costly — complete, and perhaps not even partial medical attention. Our Mother, knowing of this situation, therefore sends her help for her humble little ones, so that with faith they would use what Nature gives us to avoid contagion with this deadly virus and so that, through her maternal intercession, they might be freed from this disease.
But one thing is clear, it is a matter of faith in the Mother of God, not witchcraft or anything of the sort.
FOURTH OBJECTION
For the sake of coherence, it should be understood that the Oil of the Good Samaritan was indicated by the Blessed Virgin to Luz de María for the first time in 2016, recommending its use for unknown pestilences. It was not until 2019 that Covid-19 arose, meaning that a prophet in her personal state could not have foreseen this purpose on her own, but that it must necessarily have been Heaven’s provision prior to future events (seen from the perspective of 2016) known to Heaven. Therefore, what needs to be retained and assessed is the fact that at all times the messages speak of protection, and as new diseases appear, the Virgin continues to recommend using the oil that you question.
For us, leaving aside the very pleasant aroma of the oils, this is a way of seeking a public way of facing diseases, within the elements provided for us by nature — seen as a part of God’s Creation — without so much chemical, genetic manipulation, or unknown treatments — which we may fear and mistrust. We of course insist that this is not a matter of magic pertaining to witches, sorcerers and alchemists, but to what moves and interests us: Faith in the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ and his Blessed Mother, expressed through Luz de Maria.
We therefore emphasize this and pray that the messages would not be misrepresented, since in no message from the Blessed Mother or in any comment by Luz de María is it indicated that the Oil of the Good Samaritan cures Covid and that standard medicine should not be used. This is patently false.
REQUEST
Regarding everything set out above, I request that the article we question be removed from the web page, since it has information that is incorrect and contrary to the beliefs of the Catholic religion concerning faith and the use of plants as natural remedies using God’s Creation in nature for human well-being.
If this is not done, regardless of other decisions that may be taken, one thing will become clear to us: you would like natural medicine, once more and via the power of the media, to be separated from all human cultures, ignoring the knowledge, research, studies, customs, inheritances and traditions — of those cultures — and, instead, what you would like to impose on us, even for people with limited resources, would be, according to your criteria, blind obedience to the big pharmaceutical companies and to anyone who comes — even provocatively — with some kind of authority, and who imposes on us the way in which we should live and what we must believe in. What we should eat, when we should eat it and how we should eat it. How dangerous for the body and soul!
True freedom is being slaves of the Lord according to His words.
If even in the light of the above you still refuse to withdraw the article, please attach this request for rectification and response to your article.
Sincerely,
Luz de María de Bonilla
Rafael L Piaggio, Dir. Revelaciones Marianas
San José, Costa Rica, June 2, 2020
English translation: Peter Bannister
Footnotes