The Vatican to officially comment on apparitions of Medjugorje

Cardinal Vinko Puljic of Sarajevo recently said that the Vatican will officially comment on the supposed apparitions of the Virgin in Medjugorje.

Its a small town of some 5,000 people a few miles from the capital of Bosnia where a supposed apparition of the Virgin was seen by six people in 1981.

Every time a diocese or a considerable amount of Catholics ask, the Vatican opens an investigation on what the Church calls a Mariophany, or a supposed visit by the Virgin to mankind.

Rev. Salvatore Perrella
Vice president, Pontifical Theological Faculty
Marianum (Rome)
When there is news of an apparition, the Holy See asks the bishop of the place where it happens to put together a commission of experts, priests, psychologists and canonists to see if its a real apparition or a lie.

Afterwards, the Episcopal conference of that country gathers the testimony of those who claim to have seen the apparition. This process can last years.

Rev. Salvatore Perrella
Vice president, Pontifical Theological Faculty
Marianum (Rome)
Its a very rigorous investigation that studies the seriousness of the persons claim, their credibility, mental health and adhesion to the faith of the Church.

According to Salvatore Perrella, the apparitions by the Virgin come during difficult times for the Church, Christianity and society. For example, the apparitions in Fatima, Portugal took place during World War I. However, all of the Virgins messages have a common theme.

Rev. Salvatore Perrella
Vice president, Pontifical Theological Faculty
Marianum (Rome)
God tells us that we are protagonists of history with Him. Man collaborates with Providence. This is the sense that the apparitions communicate.

But the validity of an apparition is not limited to the message, but it should bring the faithful and the curious that go to the place of apparition closer to the sacraments.

Rev. Salvatore Perrella
Vice president, Pontifical Theological Faculty
Marianum (Rome)
The faithful that go to the place of apparition should be helped in deepening their faith, in finding God in the sacrament of the Eucharist and in going to confession.

The current process of investigation is similar to the one that took place for the apparitions in Lourdes and Fatima. Now the Vatican is applying it to cases like the one in Medjugorje in Bosnia and Zejtun in Malta.

BR/RS

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[sgal88]

Then again, as with someone with poor context skills, I wouldn't guess you would know that, especially since you are ignorant of the faith. Before you start to excommunicate someone, admitting to be ignorant and have poor context skills, you should hold that tongue and just debate me with the issue at hand.

[sgal88]

@angelpacheco59 Before you tell people that they are "Latae Sententiae" excommunicated, you should perhaps read Code of Canon Law. I'm doing what JP2 told me to do in his own canon law. I suggest you read Canon 212. It is that canon that allows me to point out the ambiguity of his pontificate and my right to speak against his beatification.

[sgal88]

@angelpacheco59 There isn't...you are just spewing ignorance and also, I did judge the Pope but rather criticized many things he did, which canon law allows me to do as a layperson. No pope is above criticism but judgment. Saints have cardinals have done so.

[sgal88]

@angelpacheco59 "Emotional sugar coasted words?" I started with the truth and then with what the very pontiff said. That i sugar coated while you don't even understand what the word optional mean? You are a person with little knowledge of the faith as was shown when I wrote two distinct errors of JP2, of which there are many things JP2 had done wrong during his 25 year pontificate.

[sgal88]

@angelpacheco59 I doubt you have a clear understanding of the Catholic Faith if you don't see nothing wrong with the late pontiff did during his pontificate. Comprehension is the start of understanding the faith, and since yours is poor and have been proven time and time again, then there is nothing more to discuss with a person who knows nothing of the faith he supposedly grew up in...caling yourself a traditional catholic is rather insulting to those who are traditional Catholics.

[sgal88]

@angelpacheco59 >>Before you open your mouth, you may want to learn the differences.>> Huh? I only asked you a question. What is there to shut my mouth? You have poor reading comprehension skills but, then again, I should not be shocked as evidenced through out your writings.

[sgal88]

@angelpacheco59 So you would pray with pagans without preaching them the gospel and kiss the Koran. I would politely disagree with the pope.

[sgal88]

@angelpacheco59 You are the type of person that thinks that just because JP2 kissed the Koran, prayed with pagans instead of preaching to them, that it is fine. But that is contrary.

[sgal88]

@angelpacheco59 It is one thing to add indulgences and the crucifix and beads and it is another to add another mystery which has been non-existent until JP2. And even then, JP2 makes it clear that these are optional and that we can stick to the 15 decades. Second, if the pope were to make additions to the Rosary, it is done with prudence. In the case of the "Oh my Jesus" prayer, that was mandate by Heaven. AS for the Luminous Mysteries, the very Holy Father has said it is OPTIONAL.

[sgal88]

@angelpacheco59 Greater perfection? You got to be kidding me. The Rosary with 15 mysteries has proven itself for centuries and changing the Hail Mary prayer, which was for discussion during the reign of Paul VI by Bugini was thrown out the window, hence for his comments of pysychological effects in changing the Rosary. If the pope were to change the prayer, it would in essence be an affront to private revelation and what has been passed down by tradition.