Bosnian Cardinal denies claims of Vatican commission for Medjugorje

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Cardinal Vinko Puljic

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nov 20, 2009 / 11:45 am (CNA).- Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Sarajevo and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina denied press reports yesterday which claim that the Vatican is creating a commission to investigate the alleged apparitions of Medjugorje.

The cardinal, who is visiting Rome to attend the plenary session of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, of which he is a member, said that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is neither preparing a document nor establishing a special commission to study the Medjugorje apparitions.

Cardinal Puljic said that the official position of the bishops of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the one expressed by the then Bishops’ Conference of Yugoslavia in April 1991.

That statement not only expressed the episcopate’s support to then-Bishop Pavao Zanic of Mostar – where the town of Medjugorje is located - but explicitly said that, “based on previous research, it cannot be affirmed that these events concerning apparitions and revelations are of supernatural nature.”

“The doctrinal issue of the Medjugorje phenomenon is resolved, but its pastoral significance must still be taken into account,” the cardinal continued.

“The Medjugorje phenomenon is not only gathering faithful from Bosnia, but from all over the world, and in places where people gather to pray, God gives his blessing. Therefore, we should carefully examine all sides of this phenomenon,” he added.

Nevertheless, he reiterated, “for the moment, everything is under the jurisdiction of the local bishops.”

“Still, at any given moment, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith could establish an International Commission in order to study the case of Medjugorje,” the cardinal remarked.

Speaking at the 2004 assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Puljic complained that the reported apparitions of Medjugorje were “becoming a source of division in the Church.” In 2006, the cardinal was involved in setting up a commission concluding that the alleged Marian apparitions were not supernatural.

Comments: 17

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Constance
CT/USA 01/05/2010 10:46 PM EST

Paul Jacob, in 1990, before the war, communists helicopters were circling the Church. They did not want us there. As a matter of fact, this is a real incovenience for the villagers. I am so surprised that authorities brush off the phenomena that people have experienced. Every time I've been there I have felt this warm peace inside amidst the activity around me. I have seen the miracle of the sun as has my sister and brother. I am one not easy to impress and can be clearly cynical. The second time I went I did not see anything miraculous except the villagers going to Church all day and night and long lines at the confessional. Even my sister-in-law who was not Catholic talked to a Priest in the confessional. I'm glad I went whether it is authenticated or not. Our Lady Mary, Queen of Peace Reign in Our Hearts!

Published by: David
UK 12/03/2009 07:33 PM EST

There is nothing complicated about this subject. We have been asked not to make pilgrimages to the area. Despite all the years and allegations nothing has changed the Churches position. As for the conversions etc associated, the question I have is - if I attend a satanic ritual every night and while there prayer the rosary devoutly, attend confession, fulfil my penance, etc and my prayers are answered does that give weight to the Satanic ritual or the power of prayer? the other problem is that you end up with another LOC culture of celebrity fiasco. Perhaps somebody would be kind enough to give me examples were the visionaries of other recognised sites have bathed (perhaps swam) in the celebrity status quite like the Medjugorje Team.

Published by: Victor
Angels Camp, CA, USA 11/24/2009 12:49 PM EST

DECLARATION OF THE EX-YUGOSLAVIA BISHOPS' CONFERENCE ON MEDJUGORJE At the ordinary session of the Bishops' Conference of Yugoslavia in Zadar from April 9 - 11, 1991 the following was adopted. DECLARATION The bishops, from the very beginning, have been following the events of Medjugorje through the Bishop of the diocese [Mostar], the Bishop's Commission and the Commission of the Bishops Conference of Yugoslavia on Medjugorje. On the basis of the investigations so far it can not be affirmed that one is dealing with supernatural apparitions and revelations. However, the numerous gatherings of the faithful from different parts of the world, who come to Medjugorje, prompted both by motives of belief and various other motives, require the attention and pastoral care in the first place of the diocesan bishop and with him of the other bishops also, so that in Medjugorje and in everything connected with it a healthy devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary may be promoted in accordance with the teaching of the Church. For this purpose the bishops will issue specially suitable liturgical-pastoral directives. Likewise, through their Commission they will continue to keep up with and investigate the entire event in Medjugorje. In Zadar April 10, 1991 The Bishops of Yugoslavia (Zagreb Glas Koncila May 5, 1991) ________________________________________

Published by: L
Ma 11/21/2009 01:57 PM EST

Luke 12:51 `Think ye that peace I came to give in the earth? no, I say to you, but rather division. Maybe it is not so indoctrinate to be a source of division

Published by: Timothy
Knoxville, TN, USA 11/21/2009 07:35 AM EST

Now we have two Cardinals (Puljic and Schonborn) who, within the last week, have publicly acknowledged the value that Medjugorje has brought to the Catholic Church by way of conversions and vocations. And we know of other Cardinals and Bishops who have visited Medjugorje who hold the same views. The Vatican will eventually acknowledge the important role that Medjugorje is providing for the faithful. This will be done separate from any judgement of the validity of the apparitions and Medjugorje will eventually be officially recognized as a Marian Shrine to Our Lady, the Queen of Peace.

Published by: Diane
Michigan, USA 11/21/2009 06:05 AM EST

Henry, in defense of CNA, the Zenit news version of this story was not available at the time this article was written. This CNA article appeared roughly the same time as the Zenit article appeared (but only in Italian). CNA used a short clip in the Croatian bishop's conference paper. The Zenit article has much more info than what the diocesan paper offered because Zenit did an interview. Had that Zenit interview been available, in English, I'm sure CNA would have used it. In that Zenit article, Cardinal Puljic stated something significant: “....What is happening in Medjugorje – said Cardinal Puljic – is the responsibility of the Bishop of Mostar, Monsignor Ratko Peric, and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. We look forward to suggestions and proposals on how to accompany this phenomenon as Bishops and the Episcopal Conference, and I think that the Holy See wants to work in this area.....I expect that the Holy See will give indications on confessions and the Eucharistic celebrations….” It's interesting to see Cardinal Puljic affirm authority in a bishop so villified by the Medjugorje movement. This statement by the Cardinal follows the revelation by bishop Peric on Sept 26, 2009 that the "gospa" made a "grave theological error". There may not be a commission or document forthcoming, but there has been much ecclesial action including severe canonical actions in 2008 and 2009. Further, dioceses and orgs who write to the CDF are being referred to Bishop Peric.

Published by: Paul Jacob
Phoenix/Arizona/USA 11/20/2009 11:59 PM EST

Medjugorje is a fake apparition created by the government to attract tourists. Now that it's a major industry, the country would collapse without it.

Published by: Henry
Toronto, Canada 11/20/2009 11:30 PM EST

CNA should stop its one-sided and biased coverage of Medjugorje and reveal the Cardinal's entire comments like the Zenit News Agency did. Zenit is an accurate, fair-minded and credible news agency that does not have an agenda. Cardinal Puljic has a very good relationship with the Franciscans in Medjugorje. Your article, which takes his past comments out of context, makes it sound like he is against the apparitions, which is far from the truth.

Published by: DAN PUHAR
CHG., IL., U.S.A. 11/20/2009 11:08 PM EST

MEDJUGORE IS SURROUNDED BY MISINFORMATION, NON-FACTS AND ALL AROUND CONFUSION. iT IS CAUSING DIVISION AMONGST THE FAITHFUL. I'VE EVEN HEARD THAT BELOW THE GROUNDS ARE LOCATED DISMEMBERED CORPSES OF SERBIAN PEOPLE FROM WWII. LEAVE IT ALONE.

Published by: Diane
Michigan, USA 11/20/2009 08:56 PM EST

Juliet, Good fruits alone do not validate an alleged apparition. Are there bad fruits? Yes. The contempt the movement has for the local bishop is also a fruit. So is the blatant disregard by visionaries, close associates, and followers alike, for basic directives from him like not propogating "messages". But fruits are judged only after events (who, what, where, when, how). For example, if good fruits are coming out of an "apparition" which says there are 8 persons in the Trinity, can good fruits validate such an "apparition"? A poisonous mushroom could look good, taste good, and even be nutritious. Nonetheless, there is an objective reality that the mushroom can make one ill, or even cause death. Dan, Bishop Peric's 3-part statement, issued on September 26, 2009 point out doctrinal problems in a very big way. He cites a "grave theological error" in which the "gospa" stated that the dead present in heaven have both souls and bodies. There were a host of other problems pointed out in his statement (It's found in unofficial translation in English, but only in Italian at diocesan website. Perhaps CNA can ask diocese to offer in English) Cardinal Puljic said, “The doctrinal issue of the Medjugorje phenomenon is resolved", coupled with, “for the moment, everything is under the jurisdiction of the local bishops.” Contrary to claims found on the internet, Bishop Peric was not silenced, but is very much involved. The CDF is referring people to him.

Published by: Timothy
Knoxville, TN, USA 11/20/2009 08:16 PM EST

It would be much appreciated by readers if the CNA would publish Cardinal Puljic's entire statement. From zenit, we learn there was more to the Cardinal's statements on Medjugorje than that revealed by CNA, including the following: "It's a reality that the phenomenon of Medjugorje continues to attract thousands of pilgrims," recognizes Cardinal Puljic. "Praying is not a sin", the Cardinal said with a smile. "There are many good pilgrimages that have generated conversions and vocations to the priesthood or religious. They are fruit of prayer where men pray with faith. God gives the fruits of his Grace." "Praying in Marian shrines", explained Cardinal Puljić, "is part of the identity of our Catholic faithful. In the course of events issues of history, our people have been found in various sanctuaries in the region to seek comfort, light, and the Madonna is a hope and a sign for our faith. "

Published by: Jeff Johnson
Collegeville, MN 11/20/2009 07:02 PM EST

The Holy Spirit, and Our Lady do not wait for Church approval.

Published by: Dan
USA 11/20/2009 04:14 PM EST

Division has always sprung up surrounding Marian apparitions before a definitive decision is made. Unless a glaring doctrinal error appears in the messages, I doubt that the Church will make an authoritative decision until the apparitions have ended. I had seen the rumors about new directives regarding Medjugorje, but I was suspicious of them because it would seem like a premature decision on the part of the Church if that were true. Let us continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church as He always has done. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 11/20/2009 02:55 PM EST

We should be listening to the Church Approved apparitions and messages of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, La salette, Lourdes, and Fatima and forget all about "Medjugorje".

Published by: John
Ireland 11/20/2009 02:48 PM EST

Your report is incorrect on a number of key points. The weight of evidence is strongly in favour of Medjugorje.

Published by: juliet
Rio de Janeiro-RJ-Brazil 11/20/2009 01:52 PM EST

Where the Holy Spirit and God are, there instantly will be Satan work : disrupt, disenssion, turmoil around. See the fruits of a three to well evaluate: the tree is giving fruits of prayer, peace and mortification. Could it be that the Evil's tree gave such good fruits????

Published by: Stephen
USA 11/20/2009 01:10 PM EST

There seems to be a lot of misinformation causing much division regarding the reported apparitions of Medjugorje. Until the bishops of the Church rule one way or another lay Catholics all over the world need to be prudent and obedient to what Cardinal Puljic and the local bishop are saying on these alleged Marian apparitions. The Church has always been very cautious throughout its history where apparitions are concerned to protect the faithful from deception and false apparitions.

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