Cardinal Schönborn again hosts Medjugorje 'seers' in Vienna cathedral

Catholic World News ^ | November 17, 2011

[Gamecock]

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn celebrated Mass at Vienna’s cathedral of St. Stephen on November 17, as part of a televised event that included testimony from a Medjugorje “seer,” who promised an apparition of the Virgin Mary immediately before the Mass.

Ivan Dragicevic, one of the “seers” who claim to have been receiving regular apparitions of the Virgin May for decades, spoke in the cathedral, in an event that was offered on live streaming video broadcast. The schedule called for an apparition at 6:40 pm, Vienna time. Dragicevic said that the Mother of God would bless all those present—and that this blessing would extend to those watching the internet broadcast.

The event in the Vienna cathedral caused consternation among Catholics who have questioned the validity of the alleged apparitions at Medjugorje. Bishops in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where Medjugorje is located, have strongly discouraged interest in the “Medjugorje phenomenon.” Still the alleged seers have continued to make public appearances in Catholic churches around the world, with the apparent approval of other bishops.

Cardinal Schönborn has a history of showing support for the Medjugorje “seers.” Early in 2010, he was forced to apologize to Bishop Ratko Peric of Mostar (the local diocese) for creating difficulties with his public expressions of support during a “private” visit to Medjugorje in December 2009. Later in the year, however, he welcomed the “seers” to Vienna and praised their efforts.

Last year the Vatican created a special commission to study the Medjugorje phenomenon, in response to pleas for a definitive statement from the Holy See on the alleged apparitions. The commission--chaired by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the retired vicar of the Rome diocese—has held meetings and interviews but has not issued any public statement.

[rzman21]

Medjugorje was denounced by the local bishop and has been held in suspicion as being inauthentic.

[Steelfish]

Fully agree.

[dangus]

There is a difference between a healthy skepticism, which restrains the Church from chasing after unfounded miracles (the greatest of saints were skeptically reviewed after their deaths by a Devil’s advocate) and ignorant derision.

This healthy skepticism is precisely why the Catholic church has summoned them to Vienna. The local bishop has expressed doubts over the apparitions; the Franciscan ordinary whose parish Medjugorje is believes them to be real. Some suspect the motives of the bishop, since he dates back to the Communist domination, previous to Medjugorje.

There is no “miracle on demand” as insinuated on this thread, since nothing has ever suggested any public miracle occuring on demand or on regular timing, although millions have experienced miraculous events over the years. The scheduled event amounts to nothing other than the seers taking time out for their prayers.