Official Facts on Medjugorje
Official Documents on
Medjugorje and FAQS
This blog is a resource which is a work in progress, being built
with intent to collect documents from the
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Ecclesial
Disciplinary Actions against Fra Jozo Zovko, OFM
This is a list of disciplinary actions taken against Fra Jozo Zovko, OFM
through early 2009. It was compiled by Mark Waterinckx of
Belgium. Mark had gone to Medjugorje at least 24 times and
had raised many thousands of dollars. He knew Fr. Jozo Zovko personally
through his promotional activities in Medjugorje before discovering sobering
realities about the phenomena and the players. He has since worked
actively to expose these things.
For serious researchers and academics, I would encourage you to contact the Diocese of
Mostar-Duvno using the
reference numbers below for documents and further clarification on any
particular event listed. Conclusions made in this document belong to
Below Mark's document, are other items related to Fr. Jozo's faculties.
The Papal War against Medjugorje: Jozo Zovko exiled
1° Suspension: On 23-8-1989 (letter nr. 622/89) Jozo has been
suspended by Mostar-bishop Zanic, because of serious
accusations.
Jozo refuses to obey and appeals to the Congregation for the
Evangelization of the Peoples in
This Congregation confirms on 15-2-1990 (letter nr. 5673/89) the
suspension of Jozo by Mgr. Zanic, and asks that Jozo should be exiled to a
convent, far from Medjugorje.
Jozo refuses.
On 25-7-1991 (letter nr. 377/91) the Franciscan provincial of Hercegovina proposes to the bishop of Mostar
to transfer Jozo to the convent of Siroki Brijeg, only 30 km from Medjugorje.
The bishops responds on 30-7-1991 (letter nr. 557/91), refusing
this proposal.
On 2-9-1991 (letter nr. 649/91) bishop Zanic complains that
Jozo, notwithstanding his suspension, continues to
When Mgr. Peric is installed as the new bishop of Mostar in August 1993, Jozo is still committing
insubordination.
On 11-11-1993 the Congregation for the Evangelization of the
Peoples writes to the Minister-General of the Franciscan order that Jozo and 3
other Franciscans are suspended, but that they continue practicing their priestly
functions in the vicinity of Medjugorje.
On 29-12-1993 the
On 4-2-1994 the bishop by letter nr.69/94 expresses his consternation
about this.
On 12-6-1994 the bishop makes a canonical visit to Siroki Brijeg. Jozo confirms him
that, notwithstanding his suspension, he still hears confessions.
2° Suspension: On 14-6-1994 the bishop notifies by letter nr.
423/1994, that Jozo is automatically suspended according to canon 1378 par. 2.
On 15-6-1994 the bishop also notifies Jozo’s
superior of this by letter nr. 423/1994-ad.
Jozo did not pay any attention to this letter and continues to
be disobedient.
During his ad limina-visit to
Without mentioning the irregular status of Jozo, in 2002 the
Provincial writes that ’those who accept Medjugorje, consider Jozo as a devote
priest, and that he, on invitation, gives spiritual retreats on the
3° Suspension: On 26-6-2004 in a long letter nr. 843/2004,
bishop Peric suspends Jozo for the third time because of his persistent disobedience.
He invites him to the bishop’s office in Mostar in
order to regularize his priestly status. In the diocesan Curia the bishop wants
to show him all documents related to his illegal pastoral activities as well as
to his ‘moral’ life. This decree has been officially published in the diocesan
bulletin Vrhbosna, 3/2004 p. 293-298.
Jozo again refuses to obey.
And what happens now? On 9-2-2009, the personal assistant of
Jozo in Siroki Brijeg, Vesna Cuzic, informs all
Medjugorje-groups, that Jozo, for reasons of ‘health, rest and convalescence,
and for renovation of buildings on the island of Badija-Croatia
(how ‘logical’: renovating buildings while he is supposed to take a rest…),
Jozo will not be available for pilgrims for the rest of the year 2009.
During the annual meeting of the Medjugorje-Guides in March
2009, the provincial, Fr. Ivan Sesar, made known that
Jozo had ‘requested for a sabbatical year…’
But rumors say that recently Jozo has been seen for several days
in Rome, and that after the severe punishment and exile of Fr. Tomislav Vlasic by the Vatican in 2008, a new commission is
now occupying themselves with the ‘Jozo case’.
Jozo’s superiors, who until now, had always
supported Jozo’s disobedience, now seem to feel
uneasy and therefore exiled Jozo to the small island of Badija,
near the island Korcula, thus obeying the demand of
1990 of the Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples.
And indeed, in the Croatian Magazine “Nacional”
of 24-2-2009 (p. 68-72) appeared a long article, titled: ”Papal
War against Medjugorje” [Google Translated link - DK].
Subtitle: ”The exile of Jozo”.
Furthermore: “Jozo was moved from Siroki
Brijeg and left behind on the island Badija for as long as the Papal Commission concerning Medjugorje
is pursuing her investigation".
At last Jozo has been banned to a convent, far from Medjugorje,
“ordered by
But, as is always the case, the Medjugorje-media are
manipulating the naïve Medjugorje-fans and falsify the real motive for his
exile.
“Nacional” continues
: “Jozo was moved to Badija not because of
health reasons, as was officially stated, but exiled by the
“After 18 years of resistance and disobedience, Jozo was
compelled to obey a decision of the Holy See since February 1990, whereby
At the end of 2008, the
To some close friends Jozo said that he was ‘sent to the
desert’.
Many ask themselves why, after 18 years, Jozo has finally obeyed
to the decision of the Church Administration. The answer is that very soon the
And it is well known that the former Card. Ratzinger, now Pope
Benedict XVI, was rather negative about Medjugorje... (see
his letter of 22-7-1998).
"Jozo has now decided not to be an obstacle in that process.”
Feast of
_________________
UPDATE: On January 2, 2010, Bishop Ratko Peric
mentions Fr. Jozo Zovko in his statement on the Cardinal Schonborn
visit (in point 7). He explains:
- We had two separate charismatic promoters and “architects” of
the “Medjugorje phenomenon”: The prominent and disobedient Tomislav Vlašić, who
last year was expelled by the Superior General of the Order of Friars and who
at his request, was dispensed of his priestly faculties and obligations by the
Holy See, and Fr. Jozo Zovko, who has been denied priestly
faculties in this diocese since 2004, who according to newspaper reports, has
been withdrawn by his religious superiors from the territory of Herzegovina and
is prohibited from any contact with Medjugorje.
A guide
in Medjugorje has reportedly told fellow supporters that Zovko is now in Austria.
Fr. Jozo Toured US without faculties:
Note in this first link, that it appears the Archdiocese of Los
Angeles contacted the Franciscan province to check on Zokvo's
priestly faculties, but did not contact the local bishop. This is odd
because the religious order does not give and take faculties, the bishop
does.
?
Suspended
Medjugorje Priest Gives Retreat in Thousand Oaks (2003)
Let's look closer at the incident at the National Shrine in
On November 14, 2002, Provincial Fr. Slavko Soldo
wrote that he was in good standing with the religious order, but says nothing
about his faculties:
Fr. Jozo Zovko is a member of our community in good standing. He
was the pastor at Medjugorje when the apparition of the Blessed Mother started
in 1981. It was time of the communist regime in our country. As
pastor of Medjugorje Fr. Jozo was put in prison by the communist court.
After he was released from the prison, he continued to spread the message of
the blessed Mother Queen of peace.
In our community Fr. Jozo Zovko is known as a charismatic priest
who suffered for his faith and continues suffering. He spends long hours in
prayer, counseling and preaching. Most of the time he is in
the church, often for 10 hours a day.
Those who oppose the apparitions of the Blessed Mother at
Medjugorje are constantly after Fr. Jozo, trying to stop his mission, but those
who accept the Medjugorje consider him a dedicated priest and are inviting him
to lead retreats for them and pray for them in their needs. Among those who are
inviting him, are many priests and bishops. Fr. Jozo is tireless in that
service. He did ask permission to travel to the
Peace and all things good!"
Mostar, November 14, 2002, Fr. Slavko Soldo, provincijal
On November 19th, the following statement was issued by the Basicilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception in
Basilica of the National Shrine
Important
notice about Father Jozo Zovko, O.F.M.
November 19, 2002
The
November 21 Marian Mass and prayer vigil at the Basilica of the National Shrine
will continue as scheduled without the participation of Father Jozo Zovko,
O.F.M. Father Zovko’s faculties have been revoked and
he is under censure from the Bosnian Diocese of Mostar-Duvno.
In accord with Canon Law, he may not exercise his priestly ministry here.
The National Shrine and the Archdiocese of Washington, though unaware of the
basis for Father Zovko’s censure, or any credible
allegations against him, are obliged to adhere to its canonical stipulations.
On November 21st, the Vicar General of the Order discusses Zovko's standing with the religious order, and says nothing
about his faculties.
"I Fr. Stefano Ottenbreit, the undersigned,
Vicar General of the Order of Friars Minor, testify that Fr. Jozo Zovko is a
Member in good standing of the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary in Herzegovina of our Order. I, also, declare to whom it
may concern that he has never been suspended from our Order."
Signed and sealed with the seal of the Order at our General
Curia in
In fide, Fr. Stefano Ottenbreit, OFM,
Vicar General
Now, there is something interesting missing at pro-Medjugorje
sites. That is, the standing of Fr. Jozo Zovko with the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno. I copied this from a now defunct
website, "Send Your Spirit Medjugorje" some time ago before
it went offline. Whomever
wrote this letter, raised the appropriate questions regarding the two replies
from the Franciscan order. The site indicated,
it never got a response to the questions raised.
November 25, 2002
Fr.
Slavko Soldo, OFM,
Provincial
of the Herzegovinian
Franciscan
Province of the Assumption
Mostar - Fax: 333-526
Although Fr. Jozo is in good standing with you, he is, however, in disobedience
to the local bishop, and therefore, the church, as indicated in the letter
(Dated November 18, 2002, Prot. 1942/2002) from Bishop Ratko
Peric of Mostar to Msgr. Michael J. Bransfield, Rector Basilica National Shrine Of Immaculate
Conception, Washington, D,C. Fax 001 202 526 8313.
Why
did your Franciscan province permit him to be in such disobedience and without
priestly faculties for 13 years?
Please
reply. Thank you
Further information about Fr. Zovko is learned from Bishop
Ratko Peric on his communication regarding the
withdrawal of Papal Household Preacher, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa's appearance at
a retreat for priests in 2007.
Bishop Peric writes:
Despite the above mentioned decision, the news of a spiritual
retreat for priests directed by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap., Preacher of the Papal Household, to
be held in Medjugorje at the beginning of July 2007 appeared on the internet
many months ago, yet the organizers of this retreat did not inform the Diocesan
Chancery in Mostar according to the norm, prior to
the event. In this regard, celebrations of the sacrament of reconciliation are
being publicized billing, alongside Fr Cantalamessa,
Fr. Jozo Zovko; yet the latter since 2004 has been relieved of all priestly
faculties in the territory of the dioceses of Herzegovina (Vrhbosna,
3/2004, pp.293-298).
The Pastoral decision of 23 August 2001 regarding leaders of spiritual retreats
and conferences was reaffirmed and expressly emphasized by the Bishop of Mostar-Duvno, Msgr. Ratko Perić in his discourse and invitation given during the
Chapter elections on 16 April this year at Humac,
where he was officially invited to preside at Holy Mass. On that occasion the
Diocesan bishop mentioned the following regarding Medjugorje:
“1 – The pastoral obstinacy of the pastors and other associates
of Medjugorje is quite evident on the ‘Medjugorje’
internet site which bears the title ‘Marian Shrine’. ‘Medjugorje’ is neither a
diocesan nor national or international shrine. This status must be acknowledged
while the events remain as they stand.
2 - The obstinacy of the pastors and other associates of Medjugorje is also
evident in the their disregard for the circular letter of the Chancery of 2001,
which states that priests coming from beyond the areas where the Croatian
language is spoken are not to be invited without the express and written
permission of the Diocesan Chancery.
3
- The obstinacy of the pastors and other associates of Medjugorje is evident in
that a member of your Province, Fr. Jozo Zovko, who has no priestly faculties
and who is forbidden from celebrating any priestly functions in this diocese,
has been invited this year to preside at the Way of the Cross in Medjugorje and
has been in this regard presented as available for confessions”.
The discourse was published in its entirety at the beginning of
May this year in the diocesan pastoral monthly (Crkva
na kamenu, 5/2007, pp.
33-35).
Fr. Cantalamessa may have thought that
necessary permissions were obtained, but took correct actions upon learning he
did not have the local Bishop's permission to preach in Medjugorje.
Pro-Medjugorje sites often paint the bishop as being mean-spirited for this actions. However, since he has pastoral jurisdiction to
ensure that what takes place in Medjugorje is in accordance with Church norms
on Marian devotion (which does not include unapproved phenomena), he acted
appropriately. Fr. Cantalamessa's appearance would
have lent credibility to something not yet deemed worthy of belief by the
Church. Further, his appearance with the suspended priest, Fr. Jozo Zovko, OFM
would have been scandalous for the Church.
***Home Page***
Diane M. Korzeniewski,
OCDS
Labels: Diocesan
Documents, Disciplinary
Notes, Jozo
Zovko
About Me
Diane M. Korzeniewski, OCDS
I am a
parishioner of Assumption Grotto Parish in
Medjugorje Commission News
?
It's
Official: New Commission on Medjugorje
?
List
of Commission Members (unofficial)
Apparition
Discernment (General)
?
1978
Criteria for Discernment of Apparitions (Full)
?
What
is Involved in Apparition Discernment? (1978
Criteria - Part 1)
?
Who
discerns apparitions and private revelations? (1978 Criteria -
Part 2)
?
Apparitions:
Types of Decisions the Church can Hand Down
?
Apparitions
- True or False (Fr. Peter Joseph)
Interesting
Skeptics...
?
Cardinal
Saraiva Martins: No comparison between Fatima and
Medjugorje
?
Mariologist Rev. Dr. Hauke:
Don't let the devotees fall into the void (initial article)
?
Mariologist Rev. Dr. Hauke:
An Appeal for Objectivity (1st response to criticism of initial article)
?
Paranormal
Researcher Louis Belanger on Medjugorje
?
Catholic
Apologist Patrick Madrid (Medjugorje Label - Scroll)
Medjugorje
FAQ's
?
What
is the Official Status of Medjugorje?
?
Are
pilgrimages to Medjugorje permitted or not???
Vatican
Documents (Medjugorje)
?
Fr.
Tomislav Vlasic laicized by Holy See; leaves order
?
Canonical
Sanctions against Fr. Tomislav Vlasic
?
February
20, 1999: The Decree "Romanis Pontificibus" Definitively Implemented
Ecclesial
Disciplinary Notes
?
Ecclesial
Disciplinary Actions against Fra Jozo Zovko, OFM
?
Canonical
Sanctions against Fra Tomislav
Vlasic
?
Severe
Restrictions on Tomislav Vlasic, upon granting
request for laicization
Diocesan and Bishop's Conference Docs (Medjugorje)
?
Diocese of Mostar - Duvno Medjugorje Page
(Croatian)
?
Diocese of Mostar - Duvno (Select Docs in
English)
?
Diocese of Mostar - Duvno (Select Docs in
Italian)
?
September
26, 2009 Statement of Bishop Ratko Peric
?
Documents at the
Diocese of Mostar-Duvno - Medjugorje (various
languages)
?
The
Zadar Declaration (1991)
?
1987
Press Release by Cardinal Kuharic on New Commission
and Pilgrimages
Mostar-Duvno Diocesan Docs
(Medjugorje)
?
Diocesan
measures against Fr. Slavko Barbaric (Marco Corvaglia)
?
"The
Truth Both Frees us and Binds us" by Bishop Ratko
Peric (May 31, 2004)
?
Fr.
Rene Laurentin Disinformations
(Oct 24, 1997 statement of Diocesan Chancellor)
?
"The
Truth about Medjugorje" by Bishop Zanic (1990)
Confirmation
Homiles at Medjugorje
?
June
9, 2007 Homily of Bishop Ratko Peric (cbismo.com)
?
June
15, 2006 Homily of Bishop Ratko Peric (call to
obedience, prohibitions) @cbismo.com
?
July
15, 1987 Homily of Bishop Pavao Zanic
Close Associates to the Alleged Visionaries
?
The
case of Fr. Slavko Barbaric
?
Fr.
Tomislav Vlasic and his role (Marco Corvaglia)
?
Fr.
Jozo Zovko's trail of disobedience (Marco Corvaglia)
Attacks on Local Bishop of Medjugorje
?
Outrageous
Claims Against Local Ecclesiastical Authority
?
What
did Abp Bertone really say about Bishop Peric?
?
Medjugorje,
the communists, and the bishop (Marco Corvaglia)
?
The
Gospa and Instigation to Insubordination (Marco Corvaglia)
The Franciscan
Conflict in Herzegovina
?
Excellent
Historical Perspective on "rift" between local Franciscans and Bishops
?
February
20, 1999: The Decree Romanis Pontificibus
Definitively Implemented
?
The
Gospa and Instigation to Insubordination (Marco Corvaglia)
Scientific
Experiments
?
Caught
on video: "I thought the infant Jesus was slipping" (Marco Corvaglia)
?
Medjugorje
- Science Mortified - Part 1 (Marco Corvaglia)
?
Medjugorje
- Science Mortified - Part 2 (Marco Corvaglia)
?
Medjugorje
- Science Mortified - Part 3 (Marco Corvaglia)
?
Visionaries
evading tests (Marco Corvaglia)
?
Medjugorje:
"New Age" Science? (Marco Corvaglia)
Select
Articles
?
Medjugorje:
What mushrooms teach about objectivity
?
Curious
translation problems with medjugorje.hr presentation
of Papal Nuncio's interview
?
Pope
Benedict XVI and the Bishop of Mostar about
Medjugorje (Marco Corvaglia)
?
French
Bishop's Statement by Msgr. Henri Brincard (2000)
?
Medjugorje
and the Flow of Grace (Catholic Culture)
?
Medjugorje:
Filial reverence, or lack thereof...?
Other
Ecclesiastic Communications
?
CDF
advises Bishops of Tuscany to share 2006 homily of Bishop Peric with priests of
the diocese
Medjugorje and
"The Maciel Effect"
by Patrick Madrid
April
6, 2010
Many adherents of the alleged apparitions at
Medjugorje to whom I have spoken personally have invoked the (also alleged)
fondness and support of Pope
This is a form of what's known as an
a fortiori argument. For example, one might say, "If I think that
Medjugorje is true, that's all well and good. But if even the pope thinks
it's true, then the possibility that it is true is much stronger, much more
likely."
Variations of this type of argument can be seen on
sundry pro-Medjugorje websites, in which such-and-such a bishop or cardinal is
touted as believing that the alleged apparitions are authentic, or such-and-such
a theologian is extolled because he has declared that Medjugorje "has the
ring of truth," etc., etc.
Strictly speaking, there is nothing wrong at all
with arguing for something along these lines. We make use of valid arguments
like this all the time ("Grandma always said that eating apples would keep
you healthy, but if even expert scientists confirm that belief, how much more
so should we take Grandma's advice seriously," etc.). The problem, though,
at least for those who follow Medjugorje, is that their commonly employed argument, based on the widely held belief that Pope
As those who follow this blog know, I am an
open-minded skeptic when it comes to Medjugorje. I see too many problematic
aspects of the alleged apparitions — some, seriously problematic, such as the
incitements to disobedience from whoever or whatever is dispensing the messages
(for more on that, read my comments beneath this post)
— to be convinced that it is an authentic Marian apparition. I realize, of
course, and freely admit, that I may in fact be wrong in my skepticism. I
simply may not have properly understood or interpreted the data.
As I have said before, if I am wrong about this, and
if the Medjugorje phenomena are truly the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, then I will rejoice to have my error corrected. I mean that sincerely.
But that's beside the point for the purpose of this post.
What I am driving at, as the title of this article
suggests, is that those who attempt to bolster their own faith in Medjugorje,
and that of others, by using the argument about Pope
It is a well known fact that Pope
As we now know, Pope
We know that now. We know now the sordid details of
many bad things which Fr. Maciel perpetrated over his
lifetime. Since his demise, they have continued to belch forth from the grave
like a sulfurous semi-dormant volcano that will emit its noxious fumes for a
long time to come.
Please note: I am not equating Medjugorje with Fr. Maciel. I am not suggesting any kind of similarity
whatsoever between the two. Nor am I in any way impugning or disrespecting or
trying to besmirch the memory of Pope
And that's what I hope all Medjugorje supporters who
tout the alleged approval of Pope
All the stories I have heard from Medjugorje
supporters about how Pope
Sure, there are numerous instances of private comments
alleged to have been made by JPII
about Medjugorje, but none that I am aware of which have been verified with
documentation, such as video or audio recordings. Peruse these comments, and
you'll see they are all third-hand. He said he said he said, etc.
But even that is not the main point here.
Let's say for the sake of discussion that every single last one of those
alleged remarks made by
Wrong. That's a bad argument to be using in this
case. Why? Because even saintly popes can be seriously wrong
in their personal opinions.
We might think of this as the "Maciel Effect," which applies to Medjugorje and can be
expressed in the form of the following argument:
"If even a good and holy pope can be deceived
and be utterly wrong in his sincere personal opinion about the character of Fr.
Maciel, then how much more so is it possible that you
could be sincerely wrong in your personal opinions about Medjugorje?"
Remember: Pope
He could not have been more wrong about that.
March 31, 2010
A
look at the unprecedented Medjugorje commission
I was one
of several American Catholics interviewed recently for this Our Sunday
Visitor newspaper article on the vexing subject of the alleged apparitions
at Medjugorje.
Those
who've read my previous comments about that on this blog or
who have heard me discuss it on my radio show already know where I'm
coming from. I consider myself an open-minded skeptic who is not only willing
to be wrong about Medjugorje (though I don't think I am), but I sincerely do
hope I am wrong and that it is an authentic Marian apparition. Good
golly, do I ever hope I’m wrong about this.
Vatican panel to weigh authenticity of alleged Marian apparitions
in Bosnia-Herzegovina
by
Emily Stimpson
For many, it was an
announcement that seemed long overdue.
On
March 17, the
The
announcement was, in many ways, unprecedented.
Franciscan
University of Steubenville theology professor and mariologist
Deacon Mark Miravalle noted it’s typically the local
bishop or ecclesial conference that establishes these types of investigatory
commissions.
It
is possible for that call to come from the
But,
Miravalle continued, it’s usually the local bishop
who has the final say on the commission’s findings, not the CDF.
Fruits
of visions
The
announcement is unprecedented, but, in many ways, so is what’s taking place at
Medjugorje.
It
all began in 1981, when six Croatian teenagers, who lived in the small village in
Bosnia-Herzegovina, reported that the Virgin Mary had appeared and given them a
message to share with others. Nearly 30 years on, some of the visionaries still
claim to see the Blessed Mother daily. The rest say she now appears to them
only yearly.
For
those inclined to accept the apparitions as true, the number of years Mary has
appeared to the visionaries — 29 — as well as the number of messages received —
upward of 30,000 — are signs that God is at work in Medjugorje.
“In
30 years you have no notable contradictions between the seers, and no
observation — to my knowledge — that any of the messages are in any way off the
beaten track in terms of faith and morals,” said Father Johann Roten, director of the University of Dayton’s Marian
Library — International Marian Research Institute.
Father
Roten pointed out that scientifically and medically
the apparitions are among the most studied in Church history.
In
addition to the messages themselves — which consist primarily of calls for
repentance, conversion and peace — proponents also point to the tremendous
fruits that the messages have born in the Church.
To
date, more than 30 million men and women have visited Medjugorje, with
countless conversions and vocations to the priesthood and religious life
resulting from those visits.
“There
seems to be an undeniable explosion of supernatural graces in Medjugorje,” Miravalle said.
‘Not
good’ fruits
But
there also seems to be an undeniable storm of contro-versy
surrounding Medjugorje.
“The
good fruits of Medjugorje are undeniable,” said Patrick Madrid, director of the
Envoy Institute of Belmont Abbey College. “But we can’t disregard the fruits
that aren’t good.”
He
likewise finds fault in the very thing that so many proponents find good: the
messages.
“From
very early on, you see an incitement to disobedience in the messages,”
Both
proponents and skeptics have ample evidence to which they can point and ample
arguments with which to respond to those who disagree with them. At this point,
it can feel difficult, if not impossible, for faithful Catholics in the middle
to know who’s right.
Up
until now, however, the Church hierarchy has been almost as divided on the
question as Catholics themselves. Both of Medjugorje’s
local bishops took firm positions against the apparitions, while other bishops,
such as
Unsuspecting Medjugorje devotees misled by deceptive translation?
That's the opinion of Medjugorje-watcher
Diane Korzeniewski, who offers a line-by-line
analysis of the original message of Archbishop Allessandro
D'Errico, apostolic nuncio to
It takes only two sentences, mistranslated to
include words not said by Archbishop Allessandro D'Errico when the Papal Nuncio addressed the people of
His Excellency would be disappointed to learn how a
pair of sentences, made into one, came across to English speaking readers as a
result of the fabrication that was made. . . .
January
13, 2010
Medjugorje
Fact-Sheet: Is the Devil in the Details?
Given the turmoil,
uncertainty, and speculation that has been engendered by Cardinal Schönborn's recent high-profile visit to Medjugorje, I, like many
who have been following the story closely, am waiting and watching to see what
this new development might portend for the Church's eventual decision on
whether the Medjugorje phenomenon is an authentic Marian apparition or not.
The Catholic Church will, I presume,
eventually issue some kind of definitive decision on this question, but in the
meantime, before that happens, I believe it is wise to
consider all the available relevant information and evidence, those which lend support to Medjugorje and those which do not.
As
In addition to the bemused
reaction to His Eminence's visit there from the Bishop of Mostar-Duvno (within which territory Medjugorje is
situated), a few other high-level Churchmen have been speaking up about the
matter, including Cardinal
José Saraiva Martins, who is
disinclined to accept the claims that the Medjugorje phenomenon is base on
authentic Marian apparitions.
Regardless of whether one believes
Medjugorje is a true Marian apparition, disbelieves it, or is simply skeptical
toward the whole thing but remains open to all credible evidence, pro or con
(this is my personal position, by the way), it seems clear that these recent
statements from such well-informed bishops are certainly worth pondering.
Consider this, too:
Under the heading: "Medjugorje, Secrets,
Messages, Vocations, Prayers, Confessions, Commissions," Bishop Ratko Peric, in 2007, provided an exhaustive chronology and outline of salient facts
surrounding the alleged apparitions. For anyone who is serious about wanting to
know all the details pertaining to Medjugorje, this
"Fact Sheet" is a must read, regardless of where you currently
stand on this issue.
January 8, 2010
Yesterday,
on the "Open Line" radio program . . .
We had two hours worth of
calls on a good variety of issues, including a few on Medjugorje, Guadalupe,
and Marian apparitions in general, the sinlessness of
Mary, priestly celibacy, the tetragrammaton YHWH, the
Novus Ordo Missae, Calvinists and baptismal
regeneration, whether the devil spies on you when you're praying, indulgences,
and more. Click
to listen to the show.
A
Caller to My "Open Line" Radio Show Asks Me About
the "Good Fruits" of Medjugorje
A call came in recently from
a woman who wanted to remind me about all the "good fruits"
associated with the alleged Marian apparitions at Medjugorje. You know, the thousands of confessions and conversions, rosaries
and other prayers prayed, and even numerous priestly vocations which are
attributed to men having made a pilgrimage there.
Well . . . I don't deny that there are good
"fruits" associated with Medjugorje, but even so, I am strongly
disinclined to believe that it is the site of authentic Marian apparitions.
And, as I explained to the caller, I personally do not agree that the
"good fruit" argument constitutes proof of its
authenticity.
The Medjugorje issue comes up from time to time on
my "Open Line" show, and the fact that I am skeptical about this
alleged apparition seems to perplex and, at times, irritate some of my
listeners. I surely do not mean to irritate them! But I feel obliged to give my
honest opinion when callers ask me about it. Take a
listen.
June 25, 2009
Medjugorje
Apparition Claims Are Divisive, Bishop Warns
(CWNews.com)
The Catholic bishop whose diocese includes the town of
In a homily delivered in Medjugorje on the feast of
In his homily Bishop Peric explained that-- "while
recognizing the Holy Father's right to give a final decision" on the
validity of the reported apparitions-- he doubted their validity. He recalled
that when he discussed the reports from Medjugorje with
"They particularly do not seem to be
authentic," the bishop observed, "when it is known before that these
so-called 'apparitions' will occur." Bishop Peric cited the schedule that
the Medjugorje seers have provided, listing the times and places at which they
claim the next visits by the Mother of God will occur. Thousands of messages
from Mary are now claimed, and the bishop observed that "the flood of
so-called apparitions, messages, secrets, and signs do not strengthen the
faith, but rather further convince us that in all of this there is nothing
neither authentic nor established as truthful."
The first reported appearances of the Virgin at Medjugorje
occurred just over 25 years ago. During the 1980s, thousands of Catholic
flocked to the little town, with many reporting profound spiritual experiences.
These pilgrimages were eventually slowed by the violent bloodshed that tore
through the region in the 1990s and by the increasingly public skepticism of
the hierarchy.
Bishop Peric reminded his people of the restrictions that
he has imposed on activities in Medjugorje. The parish church is not formally a
"shrine," he said, and should not be characterized as such.
Pilgrimages to the church are discouraged. Priests there are "not
authorized to express their private views contrary to the official position of
the Church on the so-called 'apparitions' and 'messages,' during celebrations
of the sacraments, nor during other common acts of piety, nor
in the Catholic media."
The bishops urged the "seers" of Medjugorje to
"demonstrate ecclesiastical obedience and to cease with these public
manifestations and messages in this parish."
Some of the Franciscan priests assigned to the Medjugorje
parish, he said, have been expelled from their order because of their refusal
to accept Church authority. "They have not only been illegally active in
these parishes, but they have also