Pope Benedict has appointed Cardinal Ruini to head a commission of inquiry under the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to investigate the alleged apparitions in Medjugorje.
This has been a long time coming and should be comprehensive and decisive.
It has been said that the late Pope John Paul II wanted to believe in the Marian apparitions while Pope Benedict has withheld judgment with reservation. We know Pope Benedict has visited Medjugorje incognito in the past.
Medjugorje has been controversial from the very beginning and it will be interesting to see what the CDF has to say.
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Thank you Rome Reports for the video.
I predict a Medj-revolt and schism in the near future…
Henry,
From what I understand, Medjugorje has had a long history of disobedience to the local ordinary. Sadly one of my favorite orders, the Franciscans, have been in constant tension with the diocese since the area was no longer a missionary territory centuries before.
I hope it doesn’t come to schism, assuming that if the CDF declares the apparitions as non-supernatural.
Yes, of course I pray it doesn’t go to schism either. But since I don’t believe Medjugorje, and believe earlier work against it is sufficient, I don’t think we will see anything new beyond further explanation for why it is false. And as you said, disobedience is big here — evidence of the bad fruit, and what will lead to further disobedience. Sadly.
And I agree with another thing you said — Franciscans are a favorite of mine.
…earlier work against it is sufficient…
The seers themselves, in the earliest days of the alleged Marian apparitions, have been their own worse enemy.
Official? This ‘news’ is just a rehash of the story that has been circulating for months. Yes, there is a commission already underway, but not to decide on the validity of the apparitions, only to rubber-stamp International shrine status for Medjugorje later this year. So don’t be fooled into thinking the Holy See is ready to decide one way or another on the claimed apparitions. It’s immediate focus is to protect and ring-fence the tree that is producing good fruit. Rome is in no hurry to reject or accept the claims of apparitions.
Pilgrim,
There has been speculation but nothing official until now.
Besides, how can the CDF rubber-stamp something that hasn’t had an official inquiry until now?
God can make a straight line out of a crooked line.
IMHO, in the beginning Medjugorje has had too many inconsistencies regarding the seers.
It’ll be interesting to see what comes of this inquiry.
CDF is looking into it because of theological questions — what do you think the CDF does, Pilgrim? Others would deal with shrine status — but as Tito said, it can only get such a status if their is affirmation of the vision. There is not.
Tito
To me, it is not just the inconsistency, but the spirit of rebellion which is telling. As St John of the Cross points out — if someone is unwilling to be silent and go through a proper investigation, you can dismiss it.
Henry,
I agree.
I’ve read some of Saint Theresa of Avila and have been meaning to get to Saint John of the Cross. Is there a book that you could recommend that is “easy” to read.
I struggle to get through some of Saint Theresa’s writing, so I’m weary of reading something too heavy on theology while missing out on the mysticism of Saint John of the Cross.
As far as obedience, I struggle with that and can understand when an individual struggles with that as well, but when it’s more than one individual I am of mind that something is being hidden that one doesn’t want to get out.
Tito,
I recommend getting his collected writings. Start maybe with his letters in the back (where he discusses direction and spiritual discernment), then start with his Sayings of Light and Love.
As for books on him — I think a good one is actually one which will surprise people: Christianity Looks East: Comparing The Spiritualities Of John Of The Cross And Buddhaghosa. Even though it is inter-religious in scope, I thought it did a good job giving a summary of the thought of St John of the Cross (and using it to contrast with a Buddhist thinker).
A more difficult work is St Edith Stein’s Science of the Cross.
Nonetheless, I think just reading from St John of the Cross directly is the best.
Henry said: “Others would deal with shrine status”
Like who?
Henry said: “ — but as Tito said, it can only get such a status if their is affirmation of the vision.”
Not true. There are two issues here: Shrine status and the validity of the apparitions. Shrine status is not dependent on claims of apparitions. Check Canon Law. This commission will reach a conclusion on shrine status.
Shrine status will not be an endorsement for the claims of apparitions.
“Shrine status is not dependent on claims of apparitions. Check Canon Law. ”
That may be true, at least on paper, but can anyone name a single instance in which shrine status was granted to the site of an unapproved or disapproved apparition?
I cannot for one minute imagine that shrine status would ever be granted to a site like Necedah, Bayside, Cold Spring, etc. even if it were legally possible to do so. The possibility that Medjugorje might be fraudulent — not simply “not proven supernatural” — seems to me to be strong enough to not take any chances when it comes to shrine status.
Elaine, it is not a case of taking chances but a matter of recognising and protecting the tree that produces fruit. That is why the Holy See is giving consideration to shrine status.
In 2006 Rome commissioned the Bosnia Herzegovina bishops’ conference to give study and consideration to shrine status for Medjugorje. After two years it returned the commission back to the Holy See unable to come to any decision.
So now Rome itself is undertaking the study and has had representatives in Medjugorje during the past year making reports on this matter.
This commission will decide on shrine status appertaining to Medjugorje.
“It is not a case of taking chances but a matter of recognizing and protecting the tree that produces fruit.”
Well, even unapproved apparitions have produced “good” fruit in the form of conversions, confessions, vocations, etc. God can bring good out of any situation. However, that doesn’t change the final status of the apparition or revelation.
My original question remains: has there ever actually been an instance in which shrine status was granted to the site of an apparition that was NOT approved or found to be worthy of belief? I know it is legally possible, but what I want to know is whether it has actually happened.
I believe there have been apparitions or other phenomena of uncertain authenticity (e.g. weeping or bleeding statues) at sites that were ALREADY shrines at the time the event occurred. But I have never heard of an instance in which shrine status was granted after the fact to a doubtful or inconclusive apparition site. If I’m wrong feel free to correct me.
Elaine, the Yugoslavia bishops’ conference stated in 1993:
“We bishops, after a three-year-long commission study accept Medjugorje as a holy place, as a shrine. This means that we have nothing against it if someone venerates the Mother of God in a manner also in agreement with the teaching and belief of the Church…”
This is shrine status at national level.
However, with the breakup of Yugoslavia and its bishops’ conference there is a legitimate question as to the status of Medjugorje as a shrine. This is why in 2006 the Holy See commissioned the Bosnia Herzegovina bishops’ conference to give study and consider shrine status for Medjugorje at national level.
The B&H bc failed to produce an outcome and handed back the commission to Rome. Now we have a new commission in Rome which will give consideration instead and this will be at International level. Had the B&H bc given or rejected shrine status then Rome would not be now giving consideration.
pilgrim,
That is a blatant lie.
They never stated in print or verbally anything such.
There was “speculation”, but nothing else.
Immediately thereafter the new bishop of the area covering Medjugorje declared them not supernatural.
Hi folks,
I have been on the critical side, against authenticity of the phenomena of Medjugorje, but must point out that Rome Reports is an independent news source, that gets it’s news like the rest of us. The original source of the information is “Panorama”.
Hence, Rome Reports is reporting what is in Italian media.
It will be official when the Holy See, the BiH Bishop’s Conference, or Diocese of Mostar makes a formal announcement.
Bishop Peric called to Rome
On that note, you may be interested to learn that Croatian press is reporting that Bishop Peric has been called to Rome.
Read more in my updated post on this issue.
Ongoing Medjugorje commission discussion; Bishop Peric called to Rome
I should add, that Catholic Answers Live is going to be discussing Medjugorje on March 24th.
See the calendar here (you’ll be able to listen to archived video for March 24, 2010 once it has aired).
Here is a list of radio stations carrying it and you can listen live online.
Diane,
Thanks for the information! 🙂
Tito said: “That is a blatant lie. They never stated in print or verbally anything such.”
The declaration was made by Cardinal Franjo Kuharic and was published in Glas Koncila on August 15, 1993, the Catholic newspaper of Archdiocese of Zagreb.
[…] multiple […]
[…] multiple […]
Pilgrim certainly cannot provide us a document or a letter with protocol number establishing Medjugorje as a shrine, and certainly cannot tell us the date on which the “shrine” was dedicated, and by whom.
Tominellay… Can you provide letters with protocol numbers for the shrines of Lourdes, Fatima and Knock?
Perhaps, if I looked, which I won’t. Those places aren’t part of this discussion.
You claim Medjugorje was proclaimed a shrine by the Yugoslav Bishops’ Conference, quoting Cdl. Kuharic in 1993, Glas Koncila. By 1993, that bishops’ conference was out of business. Kuharic of Croatia cannot create a shrine in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Tominellay… the last bishops’ conference of Yugoslavia was held in 1993, the same year the declaration was made. The bishops’ conference of Bosnia & Herzegovinia was not established until 1995, two years after Cardinal Kuharic made his statement
Pilgrim,
You have failed to provide any evidence of what you claim.
I went to the pro-Medjugorje websites and they site exactly the opposite. It is mere speculation.
Stop with your misleading information.
Tito, relax… wait and see.
Pilgrim,
You claimed there is a statement and now you don’t.
The smoke of Satan in all its decrepitude.
Slovenia and Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia in 1991, and Bosnia-Herzegovina seceded from Yugoslavia in 1992.
Tominellay… The Croatia bishops’ conference was formed in 1993 and the Bosnia & Herzegovina bishops’ conference was formed in 1995. Annexing as a nation is not the same as annexing as a bishops’ conference.
Speaking about annexing, you may be interested in the following item which has surfaced this week in light of the Mostar bishop’s visit to Rome on Sunday.
Reported by Croatia media sources is the news that the Vatican has already arrived at a solution that recognises the importance of Medjugorje to the Church and that the tree bearing good fruit in abundance is to be protected.
Currently the bishop of the Mostar-Duvno diocese is in Rome and on the table for discussion is the annexing of his diocese which will see the parish of Medjugorje come under a new bishop. Apparently a decision was reached some time ago and an announcement is expected before the 30th anniversary of the apparitions on June 25.
Next step shrine status?
Pilgrim,
Again, no links no evidence.
Tito… be patient. If there is an “official” announcement before June 25, you will not have to wait too long, just a couple of months.
Pilgrim,
You make many claims yet fail to provide evidence for it. You make bold statements yet fail to provide references or links. You know lying is a sin.
Pilgrim,
You provide this quote:
Reported by Croatia media sources is the news that the Vatican has already arrived at a solution that recognises the importance of Medjugorje to the Church and that the tree bearing good fruit in abundance is to be protected.
Where is the link or the reference to a newspaper?
You are lying through your teeth again.
Tito… Two accusations of lying and one of misleading… Perhaps it’s time you read the blog comments policy.
Pilgrim,
I’m stating facts.
I beg to differ, Tito. You are not stating facts when you accuse me of lying through my teeth. Please read the comment policy on this blog and adhere to it.
Tito… I sincerely hope you give time to reading this. Thank you.
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Pilgrim,
You are making wild claims that bishops have proclaimed Medjugorje a “shrine”, yet you fail to provide any reference or link.
This is getting silly with your obstinate behavior.
Tito… The reference I made was to Cardinal Kuharic and I did provide a source for his quote.
Cardinal Kuharic seems to have recognized immediately his poor choice in the word “shrine”, for he adds, “That means we have nothing against it if…”
Mr. Gallagher/bluecross/pilgrim, your kind of storytelling works on the Medjugorje fan web sites you frequent, but people who aren’t already “hooked” look more critically at evidence.
Tominellay, taking six words out of context from the statement and attempting to imply a different meaning is not, in my opinion, critically looking at evidence, as you put it; Here is the full paragraph:
We bishops, after a three-year-long commission study accept Medjugorje as a holy place, as a shrine. This means that we have nothing against it if someone venerates the Mother of God in a manner also in agreement with the teaching and belief of the Church.”
And the statement made by the cardinal is supported and expressed in this Canon 1234 §1:
At shrines the means of salvation are to be supplied more abundantly to the faithful by the diligent proclamation of the word of God, the suitable promotion of liturgical life especially through the celebration of the Eucharist and of penance, and the cultivation of approved forms of popular piety.”
Tominellay, as to your reference to storytelling please allow me to draw your attention also to this blog’s Code of Conduct, especially the paragraph that says: I will express my disagreements with others’ ideas without insulting, mocking, or slandering them personally. (Matthew 5:22)
I accept and respect your choice to hold a different view on Medjugorje to myself, but I don’t have to accept the personal remarks. Hope you can understand and accept my objection with charity.
Pilgrim,
I have not found any statement thereof.
What I have found are on pro-Medjugorje websites paraphrasing what you are “claiming” as speculation and not fact.
Tito said: “I have not found any statement thereof.”
What statement are you referring to, Tito? Is it the statement made by Cardinal Kuharic? If so, then I have already given the original source for this – Glas Koncila in Zagreb,
Pilgrim,
I have not found any such statement online.
Anywhere. Not on Google search nor Bing search.
Therefore you made it up.
Tito… in an earlier post you say you had found references. Now you say you haven’t.
Yet you state that the references you had found are paraphrasing. How can you say this when you say you have not found “any such statement”?
Or… to say that the statements are paraphrased when you have found nothing to compare them with to illustrate that the statements are paraphrased?
I have given you the statement and the source. Try making contact with Glas Koncila, the Catholic newspaper.
Try and accept also that the internet is not the sole source for reference and that just because you can’t find what you are looking for doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.
And slow down on the false accusations. I did not “make it up” as you state.
Finally, allow me to remind you once again about this blog’s code of conduct for posters, especially this point: “I will always extend the benefit of the doubt.”
Pilgrim,
Reread what I said and come back to me.
Tito said, “Reread what I said and come back to me.”
???
Pilgrim,
The conversation ends here.
You are no longer allowed to post anything else unless it is supported by evidence.
You have made this thread a mockery of this website.