A Polish archbishop appointed by Pope Francis to study the pastoral situation surrounding Medjugorje says the apparitions in the Bosnian town could be recognized by the Vatican later this year.
Archbishop Henryk Hoser was appointed by the pope in February to study the pastoral care given to the town’s residents and visiting pilgrims.
The current local bishop, Ratko Peri, reiterated his belief the apparitions were not genuine in February, after Hoser’s appointment was announced.
Koser said there were still “canonical-administrative” problems at the site – especially with relations with the local bishop – “but in my opinion, they are solvable.”
The archbishop said the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has provided all the documentation surrounding the alleged apparitions to the Secretariat of State, who are now working on it.
He said “every indication” is that the apparitions will be approved, even as early as this year.
“Specifically, I think it’s possible to recognize the authenticity of the first [seven] apparitions as proposed by the Ruini commission,” Hoser said. “Besides, it is difficult to get another verdict, because it’s difficult to believe that six seers will lie for 36 years. What they say has been consistent. They are not mentally incompetent. A strong argument for the authenticity of the apparitions is their faithfulness to the doctrine of the Church.”
He said if the apparitions are recognized, it will be a “huge stimulus” for Medjugorje.
“In any event, this movement will not stop and should not be stopped, because of the good fruit that grows out of it,” Hoser said. “It is one of the most alive places of prayer and conversion in Europe – and has a healthy spirituality.”
Full story at Crux.
St. Pope John Paul II concluded the apparitions were authentic and gave them his blessing.
Utter nonsense Pope John Paul 2nd never concluded any such thing, in fact he was silent on the matter. The local Bishop himself concluded that Medjugorje was fraud, and it is known for an huge amount of demonic activity.
No he didn’t. A supporter made that up years ago. It’s one of many false claims about it that falls apart upon investigation. Same with the claim that St Theresa of Calcutta was a secret devotee, or that the local bishops had actually approved it.
Maybe the Medjugorje event has helped many people, spiritually. But l prefer the apparitionists of Lourdes, Fatima, and St. Catherine Labore, of the Miraculous Medal!! All of them were holy saints, not “soothesayers,” living a secular life! I believe in Our Lady’s messages to these saints! The apparitionists of Medjugorje do not even belong to secular Third Orders– such as apparitionist saints like St. Catherine of Sienna, and others. They are not consecrated to God formally, with a Rule of Life, pursuing HOLINESS— and some are very worldly, too! Why?? We do not need a bunch of presumed “daily messages,” either, from Our Lady– just HOLINESS– and a few wise words, to help humanity get to Heaven!!
Despite my personal beliefs, I do strongly feel that there may have been an unexplainable, holy presence of Our Lady, in the Medjugorje region. Many religious conversions have occurred, many lost lives reclaimed, for Christ! But I do not understand the truth, exactly, of the apparitions of Medjugorje– none of it makes any sense to me! Many years ago, I went to a big lecture given by the Medjugorje apparitionists– I wasn’t sure about them; however, I greatly admired Fr. Jozo, when he showed us the wounds of his torture for his Faith, by the evil Communists– impressive!!
We used to be clearly taught, in the Catholic Church, that Heaven was our only true goal, that life on earth was brief and transient, and that we all were pilgrims on earth, preparing for Heaven! We must pray hard, renounce the snares of “the world, the flesh, and the devil,” daily, which stood in our way of getting to Heaven– and do penance for our sins, and seek to daily lead a holy life, close to Christ– to get close to Heaven! Those who were blessed with great spiritual gifts, were expected to be deeply inspired by God, to renounce the world, and seek a holy life, with religious vows! Seek the long, hard pathway, of the Saints— straight to Heaven! And the Medjugorje seers??????