Who has not heard of Medjugorje? Many talk about it and people have written extensively about the phenomenon of Marian apparitions which started on 24 June 1981. Are they true or simply invented lies of the said “seers”?

Medjugorje, this world-famous Herzegovinan town, which is around 25 km southwest of Mostar and pretty close to the Croatian border, has been the theatre of outstanding U-turns to Jesus Christ.

One of them is undoubtedly that of the very popular TV celebrity Paulo Ambrosio. This acclaimed journalist has presented many reports on Canale Cinque as well as in other networks throughout Italy, to the extent that Mirjana, one of the seers, had a 30 per cent increase in Italian visitors in only a year!

Similarly, Saint John Paul II, while abstaining from taking an official stance on these apparitions, in private he supported Medjugorje. In fact, when Monsignor Murilo Sebastiao Ramos Krieger, Archbishop of Florianoplis in Brazil, was going to visit the Sanctuary of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje, he told him: “Medjugorje is the spiritual centre of the world!” In 1987, during his short conversation with the seer Mirjana Dragicevic, the Polish Pontiff confided to her: “If I weren't Pope, I would already be in Medjugorje confessing.” This intention is also confirmed by another witness, Cardinal Frantisek Tomasek, Archbishop Emeritus of Prague. He heard Saint John Paul II saying that if he weren’t Pope, he would go to Medjugorje to offer his assistance to the pilgrims.

As a caring mother, the Church seeks to safeguard the spiritual well-being of her children by protecting them from fraud, deception or abuse that can occur in these spiritual phenomena.

The commission, which was set up in 2010, was composed of an international board that included cardinals, bishops, theologians and other experts who studied Medjugorje extensively for almost four years.

Their investigation covered principally the first phase of apparitions that started in 1981. These apparitions are going on to the present day, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually.

After its enormous investigative work was completed, the commission held its last meeting on 17 January. In a statement released on the following day, the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr Federico Lombardi, said that “the commission, created by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), is presided by Cardinal Camillo Ruini. The commission has reportedly completed its work and will submit the outcomes of its study to the Congregation.”

After the CDF has studied in depth the findings of the commission, the latter’s recommendations will be handed to Pope Francis who will decide on the matter. Up to now there is no indication of when that final decision will be taken.

Donal Foley, an expert on Medjugorje and author of the globally acclaimed Medjugorje Revisited – 30 Years of Visions or Religious Fraud, said that it is “very difficult” to know exactly what the Pope’s verdict will be. There have been some signs that a negative verdict, of some sort, may well be forthcoming”. Foley was probably referring to comments made by the Holy Father that Our Lady is a Mother “not a postmaster of the post office sending out messages every day”.

Having said that, nothing can be said about the decisive ruling, which, till now, is certainly shrouded in mystery.

Another side of the story points to a favourable judgment on Medjugorje, at least concerning matters that can be explained and examined at a time when the apparitions are still happening. According to Vatican Insider, the Vatican special section of the major Italian newspaper La Stampa, the Commission report acknowledges the spiritual fruits of Medjugorje:

“The Commission and Cardinal Ruini himself, thanks to visits by people close to him have noticed that people really are converting to the faith or returning to the sacraments – what the Church refers to as spiritual fruits – in a significant way.”

If, as Jesus says, “the tree is known by its fruit” (Matt 12:33), why not go to Medjugorje on a pilgrimage? Perhaps you will reap abundant spiritual fruit in your journey to God!

 

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap