Medjugorje: Case Closed?

Vivificat! A Catholic Blog of News, Commentary, and Opinion ^ | 20 May 2005 | Teófilo

[Teófilo]

Folks, I watched Dateline NBC's report on "The Mystery of Miracles" earlier this week and I have the following thoughts.

The program touched on the Medjugorje events which started to manifest itself in that Bosnia-Herzegovina town back in the late 1970's. The basic details are these: Our Lady supposedly appeared to four young adults and a boy and began a dialogue with her that for some of them continues to this day.

I've read some early books about the Medjugorje events and for a while, there was much agreement between them. But as the record grew and the alleged apparitions continued, things got more confused. I can't follow the thread any more. I have to ask, what's the end, what's the goal, what's the purpose of these apparitions? Sure, in principle I'm open to the possibility of these kind of visitations, but a healthy skepticism, even sympathetic skepticism, is often called for, less the faithful are lead astray and the Church's mission compromised.

I'm not saying that's the case with the events at Medjugorje, but the fact of the matter is that I can't understand, or I don't know enough, as to how this dialogue is helping to build the Church and advance the cause of Christ and His Gospel.

Bishop Pavao Zanic of Mostar, Medjugorje's diocesan ordinary during the alleged apparations, following the findings of an investigative commission, declared back in 1987 that nothing supernatural ever happened there, but that the pilgrims arriving to Medjugorje would be ministered to. His successor, Bishop Ratko Peric, holds to the same view.

Some might point out that the Holy See has not pronounced itself against the apparitions and that gives hope to many. Then again, the Holy See has not contradicted Medjugorje's local ordinary and his judgment might be the Church's last word for a long time.

The Church recognizes very few of these private revelations as "worthy of belief." The faithful, then, may choose to believe in them (or not) and to incorporate their teachings into their own spiritualities. This has happened seamlessly with many of the previous Marian apparitions: Fatima, Lourdes, LaSallette, Guadalupe.

The only words of the Blessed Mother that are binding in the conscience of all the faithful, whether Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant, are found in the New Testament, in the Gospel according to St. John: "Do whatever He tells you to do." For all Christians, that's the bottom line.

[GipperGal]

Thanks for your post. The story of Medjugorje has long intrigued me -- primarily because I can't explain it either way. I can't be certain that it's not true, and yet I can't be certain that it is (who can?). But some of it rings very true, eerily true. And the truth of it makes me more than a little unsettled (in a good way, in an awe-inspiring, almost frightening way which one feels when encountering God). The Lady of Medjugorje told the children back in the early 80s that something bad was going to happen specifically in their country. She was very adamant about this. Of course, this was long before the Milosevic and the horrors of the war there. The message, when see in hindsight, seems remarkably prescient. And then there are the miracles. Lots of them. I just don't know...

[CO Gal]

I'm not Catholic so I don't know how much info I can provide, but a good high school friend of mine became a priest due to the miracles he witnessed in Medjugorie in 1987.

Since it has been so long ago what I remember him telling me about that trip was that whenever these kids (they were young adults at that time) would see the virgin Mary, that test showed their eyes would diolate exactly the same as if something was blocking the sun.

He told me that the message these kids were supposed to relay was that He was coming soon and to spread his word. We were 19 back in 1987 (but I was a much younger 19!) but that experience had such a profound influence on him that in 1998 I was privileged as a non-Catholic to see him ordained.

[GipperGal]

whenever these kids (they were young adults at that time) would see the virgin Mary, that test showed their eyes would dilate exactly the same as if something was blocking the sun.

I know. I've seen that too. It's eerie. I've seen tests where one of the kids was poked with needles (I'm talking big needles) and didn't even flinch. There is no adequate scientific explanation for this.

Her main message to the children was "Pray to Jesus. Pray ceaselessly." Sounds like something Mary would say. She also told them that the twentieth century was given over to Satan for him to unleash all evil, but God would overcome him. Have you ever read Walker Percy's "Thanatos Syndrome"? At the end of the novel, the priest character talks about this message from Medjugorje.

[sinkspur]

But as the record grew and the alleged apparitions continued, things got more confused. I can't follow the thread any more. I have to ask, what's the end, what's the goal, what's the purpose of these apparitions?

Nobody can follow "the thread." These "apparitions" are a scam, with the purpose of luring as many paying customers to the "shrine" as possible.

The messages are a mess, and sound as if they originate in the heads of children.

Which, in fact, they do.

[GipperGal]

Why does your skepticism not surprise me in the least. I get the vibe from you that you're like Vincent Price's character in "A Song of Bernadette". Or perhaps Dostoevsky's Grand Inquisitor. What messy "message" are you referring to?

[CO Gal]

No, I've not read it. I'll check into it though, thanks!

[GipperGal]

Do. It's a great read!

[sinkspur]

the many "messages" pronounced in the early years by the mouths of the so-called "seers", especially those that praised the disobedience of some Franciscan priests in Mostar, and berated the local bishop who conscientiously abided by Canon law, that belittled the highest decisions of the Church regarding the administration of the diocese,

This is from The Bishop of Mostar, May, 2004. It is the local bishop who determines whether apparitions are genuine, and two bishops have said they are not.

[Dajjal]

The so-called "Gospa" 's message at Medjugorje is that Catholics should be ecumenical toward all Muslims. "Can't we all just get along?"

Besides that, she approves of the seers having sex outside of marriage, attending "Masses" said by defrocked priests, and all sorts of other niceties.

[onyx]

I watched that segment on tv with Stone Phillips.

I'd like to believe it, but when that one fellow claimed our Holy Mother comes to him everyday at 6:40PM, (except when he was being interviewed) then I had to think "scam."

[ndkos]

"Our Lady" of Medjugorje is not from God. I can say this definatively because she has advocated the false doctrine that all religions are equal.

[GipperGal]

Wait, now you're in favor of obedience? Sinky, I thought you were all about doing your own thing -- more liberality in the liturgy, priests marrying, doing away with Humanae Vitae. Suddenly now you're all in favor of absolute obedience to the local bishop? I believe the local bishops in Fatima and in Lourdes both denounced the apparitions there as well. And don't forget Juan Diego's bishop. Mary had to send him a couple dozen roses gift wrapped in an image of her in order for him to believe.

The bishop's denial tells me nothing. The bishops in America were denying there was a sex abuse scandal. Bishops can be wrong sometimes.

[GipperGal]

Besides that, she approves of the seers having sex outside of marriage, attending "Masses" said by defrocked priests, and all sorts of other niceties.

When did she approve of this? Evidence please.

[GipperGal]

I can say this definatively because she has advocated the false doctrine that all religions are equal.

When did she say this?

[GipperGal]

The so-called "Gospa" 's message at Medjugorje is that Catholics should be ecumenical toward all Muslims. "Can't we all just get along?"

Well, ah, when the alternative is killing your neighbor or watching your neighbor be killed and gang raped as Milosevic and his thugs run rampant, maybe "can't we all just get along" is not such a bad suggestion.

[GipperGal]

I watched that segment on tv with Stone Phillips.

That right there might be your first clue that you're not getting the whole story.

[CO Gal]

Wow, I have not heard that. Does this apparition still appear to these people? Like I stated earlier, I'm not a Catholic, but I heard a lot about this story when my friend made his pilgrimage.

Also, as a sidebar, is it true that Pope John Paul II stated that "good works" can get you into heaven? I heard this stated during his funeral hoopla (sorry, couldn't think of better term) and to me that goes contrary to what Jesus states in the Bible.

[sinkspur]

Read "the visions". They're nonsensical and contradictory.

Is the Blessed Mother nonsensical and contradictory?

[Dajjal]

Besides that, she approves of the seers having sex outside of marriage, attending "Masses" said by defrocked priests, and all sorts of other niceties.
When did she approve of this? Evidence please.

Read The Medjugorje Deception: Queen of Peace, Ethnic Cleansing, Ruined Lives by E. Michael Jones. It's been a while since I've read it, but that and more is in there.

http://www.culturewars.com/medj.htm