Cardinal Schönborn’s visit to Medjugorje 'not a statement,' spokesman says

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Cardinal Christoph Schönborn

Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nov 16, 2009 / 02:55 pm (CNA).- Cardinal Christoph Schönborn will visit Medjugorje, the small town in Bosnia-Herzegovina where six young people have allegedly been witnesses of apparitions from the Virgin Mary. But according to the Archdiocese of Vienna, the trip is “completely private” and does not imply a statement from the cardinal on the veracity of the apparitions.

“It was supposed to be a completely private visit, it was not supposed to go out to the internet,” Fr. Johannes Fürnkranz, personal secretary to the Archbishop of Vienna, explained to CNA.

The cardinal’s visit will take place between December 8th and January 4th.

“The cardinal's visit was supposed to be absolutely personal and not public, but since it has been leaked, I can only confirm that it will take place. There is no statement whatsoever involved (in the visit),” Fr. Fürnkranz told CNA.

The local Church authorities, including Bishop Ratko Peric, whose diocese encompasses Medjugorje, have declared that the alleged apparitions are not to be published or promoted.

Bishop Peric has reaffirmed the official statement of his predecessor, Bishop Pavao Zanic, who in July 1987 wrote to the pastor of Medjugorje:

“I demand from you that you remove the 'visionaries' from public display and put an end to their 'visions' in the parish church. They have had 'visions' in Mostar, and earlier in Sarajevo, Visoko and Dubrovnik. Let them now have them at their homes: people say that they had them at their homes during 1981... You must stop talking about apparitions and also cease publicizing messages. The devotions that grew out of the 'apparitions' and their messages must be eliminated, sales of souvenirs and printed material which propagate the 'apparitions' must also stop.”

In June 2009, Bishop Peric addressed the parish in Medjugorje and insisted that “the presumed daily apparitions, known as the 'phenomenon of Medjugorje,' have not been declared as authentic by the Church. Not even after the investigations of various commissions nor after 28 years of media hype. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we cannot behave as if these 'apparitions' are authentic and approved.”

Nevertheless, 22 years later, the popularity of Medjugorje as a Marian destination for pilgrims remains.

Speaking on background, an official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith told CNA that the Roman dicastery remains behind the bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

“The local bishops have the ultimate authority on this matter, and their arguments against the alleged apparitions are doctrinally solid,” the official said.

Asked if Medjugorje should not be judged by its fruits of many conversions and vocations to the Church, the official responded: “It is not the duty of this Dicastery to make a pastoral assessment, but a doctrinal one. But regarding the argument, it can equally be argued that God can write straight with crooked lines, just as it has been proven in several previous occasions with patently false apparitions.”

Comments: 24

Subscriber comments:

Published by: katie
swanton/vermont/usa 01/05/2010 07:56 AM EST

I really don't care how many times someone goes to Medj., one can be fooled every single time. Are the following statements true or not??? "All religions are equal before God," says the Virgin. (Chronological Corpus of Medjugorje, p. 317 "I do not dispose of all graces...Jesus prefers that you address your petitions directly to him, rather than through an intermediary." (Chronological Corpus of Medjugorje, p.181, 277-278) "God directs all denominations as a king directs his subjects, through the medium of his ministers" ("The Apparitions at Medjugorje," by Fr. Svat Kraljevic, 1984, p.58) "It is you who are divided on this earth. The Muslims and the Orthodox, like the Catholics, are equal before my Son and before me, for you are all my children." (Fr. Ljubic, p.71) "The Madonna said that religious are separated in the earth, but the people of all religions are accepted by her Son." Ivanka Ivankovic (The Apparitions of Our Lady of Medjugorje, Francisco Herald Press, 1984) Question: "Is the Blessed Mother calling all people to be Catholic?" Answer: "No. The Blessed Mother says all religions are dear to her and her Son." Vicka Ivankovic. (The Visions of the Blessed Mother at Medjugorje, St. Martin's Press, August, 1992) IF they are, then these "apparitions" are NOT from heaven.

Published by: Dan
Winona MN USA 12/09/2009 12:36 PM EST

In answer to Francis: You have misquoted the message. Here it is correctly quoted: "Members of all faiths are equal before God. God rules over each faith just like a sovereign over his kingdom. In the world, all religions are not the same because all people have not complied with the commandments of God. They reject and disparage them." (10-1-1981) Our Lady clearly says that not all religions are equal, but that all human beings have equal dignity before God. This is perfectly in line with Catholic teaching. "Jesus prefers that you address yourselves directly to Him rather than through an intermediary. In the meantime, if you wish to give yourselves completely to God and if you wish that I be your protector, then confide to me all your intentions, your fasts, and your sacrifices so that I can dispose of them according to the will of God." (9-4-1982) Doesn't Eucharistic Adoration fall under this category? This message was given before the Declaration of Zadar in 1991, and at that time, the Bishops said that nothing can be proved SO FAR. The apparitions are still under investigation. If either of these messages had been against Catholic teaching, then the commission would've condemned the apparitions, which they did not. Make sure you have your quotes and sources straight before posting erroneous info.

Published by: jo
belfast 11/22/2009 07:07 PM EST

folk interesting thing is that those who go to Medj are the ones who believe. Those that condemn are those from afar. Confirmation is written in the hearts of the faithful. I went in June 2008 and was rejected by 2 visionarys and Mary looked at the crowd and wept. I faced a despair like never before. I faced into the dark side of myself, for a week God took me on a pilgramage and in Medj I received the grace to do Purgatory here on earth. I felt a legion of devils were on my back...but my faith kept me strong and after a moment of a great despair I knelt down up a lonely road and gave it all to God. Immediately the despair disolved and I was filled with peace. peace that penetrated the depths of my being. The sun had moved so that the white light at its centre came down all around me - dazzling white everywhere - it shone all around and the light was everywhere. I felt a true Union with God. It was like being in t adoration and I knew I was on holy ground. the Word of God passages I read and think of that moment is when at the birth of our Lord Jesus - the angels were watching their flocks and when the angle appeared the glory of the Lord shone around. The other is St Paul on the road to Damascus. I can only imagine that Peter and Judas also faced that same despair when they both rejected Jesus' in his last moments before he died on the cross. That is how huge my despair was - but by giving my whole self to God - who could be against me. Medj is from God. Wake up! Wake up! xx

Published by: Paul Baylis
Auckland, New Zealand 11/20/2009 04:39 PM EST

Deirdre, Sorry, but you are very much sucked into the conspiracy and should simply patiently wait for the Vatican. If you say that something is false because disobedience is involved, then you are WAY off track. If that were true, then the Vatican would hand back all the parishes that the new Bishops dishonestly took away from the local Franciscans during the Herzegovinian and Mostar Affairs. Bishop Zanic was warned by the Vatican to stop spreading his malicious writings around until the Vatican had finished its investigations. He did not obey, and now we see the fruits of that in you, Dierdre, and people like you. WE ARE SUBJECT TO THE VATICAN FIRST AND FOREMOST. NEVER FORGET THAT! Perhaps it is a test that Medjugorje - the most important apparition in history - has been subject to the influence of such men as Zanic and Peric. Regardless of the Vatican final decision, Medjugorje is a glorious case of how God can draw straight with crooked lines. Cardinal Shonborn was proud to say that most of his new seminarians received their vocations directly from Medjugorje. The fruits, in the bigger picture, are undeniable. Schonborn is one who loves Medjuorje and may his influence be strong in the Vatican! Amen!

Published by: Paul Baylis
New Zealand 11/20/2009 04:19 PM EST

I'm not sure how anyone can call Medjugorje a hoax without having an ulterior motive or just being plain sucked in by the conspiracy theorists. In 28 years, none of the visionaries has changed their story, three scientific teams cannot find any hoax, quite the opposite. You would think the laicised Tomislav Vlasic, if he is the rogue Medjugorje haters think he is, would take a handsome payout to do an expozee. Not a speck of dirt has stuck. Sorry, it ain't no hoax.

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 11/19/2009 06:37 PM EST

What is the big attraction to Medjugorje?? I ask this in a serious way. Why not be attracted to, and listen to the CHURCH APPROVED Apparitions and messages of Our Lady at Guadalupe, La salette, Lourdes, and Fatima instead of this nonsense called Medjugorje??!! Why are Neo Catholics so fascinated with Medjugorje??

Published by: Deirdre Mundy
La Porte, USA 11/19/2009 09:13 AM EST

Paul-- it doesn't HAVE to be a hoax to be not from God. The devil can appear as an angel of light, Demonic apparitions can come with 'signs and wonders' The fact that the apparitions encourage DISOBEDIENCE to the local bishop is enough to make them gravely suspect. Check out the stories of Lourdes, Guadalupe and Fatima. Mary encourages the seers to be obedient to the Church, even when it comes at great personal cost to them! If the doctrinal content of the apparition is off, it's a false apparition. If it encourages disobedience it's false. One more point-- many of the confessions being encouraged at Medagorje are being heard by priests who DO NOT HAVE FACULTIES TO HEAR CONFESSIONS IN THAT DIOCESE. Under canon law, that means that they're invalid. People have been fooled into THINKING they've gone to sacramental confession when they have not! To me, that is frightening. And another sign that the 'fruits' of Medagorje are not what they appear at first glance.

Published by: Paul Baylis
New Zealand 11/19/2009 05:58 AM EST

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 11/18/2009 03:08 PM EST

Here you go Tim: All religions are equal before God," says the Virgin. (Chronological Corpus of Medjugorje, p. 317 "I do not dispose of all graces...Jesus prefers that you address your petitions directly to him, rather than through an intermediary." (Chronological Corpus of Medjugorje, p.181, 277-278) Question: "Is the Blessed Mother calling all people to be Catholic?" Answer: "No. The Blessed Mother says all religions are dear to her and her Son." Vicka Ivankovic. (The Visions of the Blessed Mother at Medjugorje, St. Martin's Press, August, 1992). There are more but most people will get it. These "alleged messages" are against EVERYTHING that the Catholic Church has taught for 2000 years!! This garbage is right out of freemason beliefs which promote indifferentism which is a condemned HERESY of the Catholic Church, look it up.

Published by: David Armitage
UK 11/18/2009 02:28 PM EST

And when, precisely, did this unnamed 'official' from the CDF supposedly give CNA his views? We might assume it was contemporary with the Cardinal's secretary's statement but actually it could have been five years ago! We are not told!

Published by: Tim
Knoxville, TN, USA 11/18/2009 07:44 AM EST

Francis ... It is unbelievable that those like yourself who do not believe in the Medjugorje phenomenon would go so far as to denigrate Cardinal Schönborn because he is a supporter. Also, which "messages" and "appartions" aren't consistent the teachings of Our Lord, the New Testament and the dogmas of the Catholic Church? Please give one example by quoting one message given in an apparition and how it conflicts by specific reference to the Catechism. If you can't do this, you are bearing false witness to support your own personal belief. Be very careful not to fall into this trap. As humans, it is easy to do.

Published by: Constance
CT, USA 11/17/2009 11:49 PM EST

I have gone to Medjugorje twice, in 1990 and 1995. Our Lady is appearing there and her messages are in line with the Catholic faith. She is asking us to return to her son, Jesus. We are losing our way. She says to pray, fast, say the rosary, go to Mass and monthly confession. I have been on the mountain she appeared 1n 1981 on Oct. 1990 and across the valley is another mountain. It was late at night. The prayer group had ended and she gave her monthly message. As we stood up to go the large concrete cross on the other mountain lit up, went dark and lit up three times. I have seen wonderful things. I have stared at the sun and seen the Holy Eucharist in front of it while beautiful colors were dancing behind it. I and others. They will not decide it's authenticity until Our Lady comes no more. She says when she leaves she will never come again. She has been her since 1981 for a very good reason. Pray! You don't have to believe this, but millions of people all over the world have been there. Pope Jon Paul II have received some of the seers, too. Go for yourself before you say it is a hoax. May God Bless You!

Published by: Chris
delaware,usa 11/17/2009 07:44 PM EST

Not only, as one poster said, are many of the messages contrary to Catholic doctrine and teaching, but also are the messages very much in line with the thinking of satan's wonderful global new world order which he is once again trying to resurrect. Satan himself can appear as an angel of light and perform what appear to be miracles and will certainly do so for those seeking signs and wonders. There is also a certain something bordering on fanaticism shown by those coming numerous times to this site. The greatest sign and fruit to me is the massive disobedience over the years to the authority of rightful bishops by the promoters, the pilgrims and their leaders. Many of the supposed 'medjugorje' websites are nothing but fronts for travel agencies and they are very deceptive.

Published by: Jen
San Diego, CA 11/17/2009 06:02 PM EST

Cardinal Shonborn is not a freemason!

Published by: lidija
california 11/17/2009 03:37 PM EST

I have seen the experianced greatest miricle in my life through Our Lady Queen of Peace she has guided me in deeper realitionship with Jesus and Father I am so thankfull to vissionaries that they have shown me with their life example to preserver in faith in marriage in sufferings ... I have no doubt that they could not do this without God and his guidence and protection small village in Hercegovina has become known not becouse of them but becouse of GOD's Grace once again for mankind. She guided me and many of us in LA that PEACE IN THE HEART IS the only thing we need . Simple but the most important PEACE and from there into our families and into this troubled world I thank her SON and FATHER for a new hope she has given me and guided me toward JEsus who is alive in EUCHARIST I love what we have received at FR JOZO as piligrims FIVE STONES AGAINST GOLIAT fasting ,conffesion,Eucharist,Bible, Coversion. Penance that all are her msgs and helped me to understand GOD IS WATCHING US AND HE HAS sent his Mother I love her and I love all good people I met through my mother ------it feels like my real brother and sisters GOD IS GREAT THANK YOU OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE ?THANK YOU GOD for letting her come again ,there is nobody better then your mother softly she has been guided me and protected me and for that reason i love even the vissinaries & the priest esppecially Francicans who have carried hard Cross to protect once again Jesus People.THIS WORLD HAS HOPE

Published by: Dan
USA 11/17/2009 12:15 PM EST

Let us also keep in mind that right now, the decision about Medjugorje is no longer in the Bishop's hands. Anything that Bishop Peric says is his personal opinion. In 1996, Joachin Navarro-Valls, spokesman for the Vatican, said, "You cannot say people cannot go there until it has been proven false. This has not been said, so anyone can go if they want." The apparitions are still under investigation, and so far there is nothing in the content against Church teaching. If there were, the Vatican would've said something by now.

Published by: Diane
Michigan 11/17/2009 11:26 AM EST

Tim: Perhaps you can cite a protocol number which clearly states that Bishop Peric "has been asked by the Vatican not to speak on Medjugorje". I think you are confusing this with Cardinal Bertone's letter (Prot 154/81-05922) in which he said: <<<<"What Bishop Peric said in his letter to the Secretary General of "Famille Chretienne", declaring: "My conviction and my position is not only 'non constat de supernaturalitate,' but likewise, 'constat de non supernaturalitate' of the apparitions or revelations in Medjugorje", should be considered the expression of the personal conviction of the Bishop of Mostar which he has the right to express as Ordinary of the place, but which is and remains his personal opinion">>>> This is not a silencing by the Holy See. It is a reaffirmation of what Bishop Peric himself said in the same letter as that quoted by Abp Bertone (Prot 1267/97): <<<5) Nevertheless I am open to a study that the Holy See would undertake, as the supreme court of the Catholic Church, to speak the supreme and definitive judgment on the case, and that as soon as possible, for the good of souls and for the honor of the Church and of Our Lady.>>> With regards to claims that Medjugorje promoter sites advance the notion that Bishop Peric does not believe in apparitions is quite shameful. Comments made and taken out of context were exploited. Further, it is un-Catholic to read souls in such a way. Spreading this kind of foul info should cease.

Published by: Pepito
Santa Clara, CA 11/17/2009 11:04 AM EST

That's so right in the article: "The local bishops have the ultimate authority on this matter". And the local Bishops (2 so far since the "apparitions" started) have clearly condemned the phenomenon. This is the current Bishop of Mostar himself, who has the apostolic authority over the dioceses, with a summary of the issue

Published by: Laurie Olsen
Rome, Italy 11/17/2009 08:20 AM EST

Why not name your CDF source?

Published by: Tim
Knoxville, TN, USA 11/17/2009 06:30 AM EST

I am curious about the "official" at the CDF that was quoted. Who is this individual? Why not name him? Was he speaking of his own opinion or officially? These unsubstantiated quotes from unnamed individuals don't provide adequate information for the readership. Furthermore, this quote doesn't correspond with the official position released to-date by the Vatican. Finally, it should be noted that the Bishop of Mostar has been asked by the Vatican to not comment publicly on the Medjugorje phenomenon as the Bishop does not believe in any Marian apparition, officially recognized nor not.

Published by: Karen Johnson
St. Charles, Illlinois, USA 11/16/2009 11:56 PM EST

I have traveled to Medjugorje twice. Once in 1988 and 1998. Upon my first visit I was a skeptic and a "Doubting Thomas" and had to see for myself if the Mother of Jesus was truly in Medjugorje or a hoax. I witnessed spectacular & magnificent supernatural phenomena! I couldn't believe what I witnessed and went back the following day and again, witnessed signs and wonders. From that moment I knew there is a God and The Madonna is truly present at Medjugorje. Judge the apparition by its fruits and the fruits are plentiful and good in that holy place! Sincerely, Karen Johnson, St. Charles, Il.

Published by: Rev. Neil Buchlein
Hurricane, WV 11/16/2009 06:36 PM EST

I think that it is wonderful that the Cardinal will visit Medjugorje. For so many years he has been a great supporter of it's "fruits." Whether "private" or not I do hope that he takes the time to have a "one on one" with Bishop Peric and remind him of what Obedience really is all about and that he should stop making his negative statements.

Published by: John
Ireland 11/16/2009 04:08 PM EST

Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti visited Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral on 15 September 2009. Cardinal Schönborn was also in attendance

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 11/16/2009 03:37 PM EST

Rate: Good

Medjugorje in my humble opinion is a hoax. Some of the alleged "messages" and "apparitions" at Medjugorje supposedly from Our Lady aren't consistent with the teachings of Our Lord, the New Testament and the dogmas of the Catholic Church which of course are all one and the same. Frankly these alleged "messages" have more in common with freemason beliefs than Catholic beliefs. So unless Our Lady and Our Lord have become freemasons (which of course they haven't) This whole Medjugorje thing is a sham. With that said, I am not surprised that Cardinal Schönborn would visit this "shrine" being there is evidence that Schönborn is a freemason.

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