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[Catholic Caucus] Discernment For Medjugorje Apparitions Now in Direct Hands of Vatican
Pewsitter ^ | 4/10/2008

Posted on 04/10/2008 6:59:32 PM PDT by markomalley

April 10, 2008 - In Europe, the press has recently reported that the matter of Medjugorje -- the famed apparition site in Bosnia-Hercegovina -- has shifted directly into the hands of the Vatican.

The apparitions will not be accepted or rejected by local or regional Church officials until they are directed how and when to do so by Rome, officials now report -- in one of the larger development in this case since onset of the apparitions.

"I can confirm it," states Monsignor Mato Zovkic, vicar general of the Sarajevo archdiocese.

Monsignor Zovkic, who is spokesman for the Cardinal of Sarajevo and previously indicated negatively feelings about the site, now tells Spirit Daily that "the situation is that people keep coming to Medjugorje, they feel something nice, and they are reconciled sacramentally. The Vatican seems to be very interested and so this should be respected."

Headed by Cardinal Vinko Puljić, the national commission based in Sarajevo was formed after the Vatican took away the authority of discernment from the local bishop, who usually rules on such matters. Now the national commission has also been subjected to higher Church authorities.

The vicar emphasized that the national commission no longer plans to take action until it hears direct instructions from the Vatican. "This is our viewpoint," said Zovkic, who is also a professor at the seminary in Sarajevo.

Such is a major change in its previous position, which was that the commission would make a determination after the apparitions stopped. "As things are now, yes," the commission will wait for the Vatican, he repeated.

The new statements in one fell swoop erase objections by those who have long asserted that Medjugorje was rejected or condemned because local bishops in Mostar have been unfavorable.

Many have compared Medjugorje to historic apparitions such as those at Fatima and Lourdes. It has drawn millions of pilgrims, tens of thousands of priests, and hundreds of bishops and cardinals from around the world.


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Ministry/Outreach; Worship
KEYWORDS: medjugorje
I make no claims as to the accuracy of the source, but thought I'd throw it out there for those interested.
1 posted on 04/10/2008 6:59:33 PM PDT by markomalley
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To: markomalley
"Headed by Cardinal Vinko Puljić, the national commission based in Sarajevo was formed after the Vatican took away the authority of discernment from the local bishop, who usually rules on such matters. Now the national commission has also been subjected to higher Church authorities." Seems a bit heavy handed to me, but then again it would. I suspect that this sort of thing is noted to the east of Bosnia.
2 posted on 04/10/2008 7:11:24 PM PDT by Kolokotronis (Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated)
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To: markomalley

i saw this initial posting and thought....”I need to bump that so its in my record.” Then I was in a hurry and............

Thanks for posting it.

Read Wayne Weible’s books on Medjurgorjie.


3 posted on 04/10/2008 7:36:22 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

I am quite skeptical of the Medjugorje Apparitions but have to admit that Wayne Weible prayed for us and a favor WAS granted. In fact, it was granted on the 8th of December (2003) and Catholics are aware of the significance of that date. But we will never know if it had anything to do with Medjugorje.


4 posted on 04/10/2008 7:41:41 PM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by nature, not nurture™)
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To: markomalley
Like so many things written about Medjugorje, I highly suspect the accuracy of this information. I think that this source understands the facts wrong and is publishing incorrect thoughts about what is happening. The "Vatican" (should be "Holy See") does not operate like this. I know that as of last year the Holy See asked for, and was helping with, all the bishop's in the former Yugoslavia to deal with the phenomenon of all the pilgrims (this since their conference came to an end after the war there and eventual breakup of the former republic. I don't believe that the Holy See "has taking control" away from the local Bishop of Mostar, thereby undermining him.

As for the alleged visions, based on reading documents from the initial claims, I don't need anyone to tell me that they are false.

5 posted on 04/10/2008 7:41:59 PM PDT by TotusTuus (Christos Voskrese!)
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To: markomalley
... the situation is that people keep coming to Medjugorje, they feel something nice, and they are reconciled sacramentally.

True for several people I know. It doesn't say anything about the authenticity of the "apparitions," of course.

6 posted on 04/11/2008 4:20:26 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("Everything is either willed or permitted by God, and nothing can hurt me." Bl. Charles de Foucauld)
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