Fact: We are still awaiting word from the Vatican about the validity of Medjugorje and if it is a true message from God
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) completed its investigation in the early fall of 2015, but has yet to release documents on its findings. What does that mean? Nothing yet. But don’t believe anything reported unless the news comes out officially from the Vatican.
Let’s dispel the fact from the fiction about Medjugorje.
Fiction: We must believe in private revelation of others
According to Catholic Answers: “Public revelation is binding on all Christians, but private revelation is binding only on those who receive it. The Catholic Church teaches that public revelation was completed, and therefore was concluded, with the death of the last apostle (Vatican II, Dei Verbum 4), but private revelation has continued.” Therefore, even though the visionaries are reporting these messages from Mary are for the whole world, we do not have to “believe” in these visions even if they are confirmed true in order for us to believe in Jesus Christ. For example, we do not have to believe in the private revelations from Lourdes even though it has been recognized by the Church, but we do have to believe that Jesus Christ is the second person in the Holy Trinity.
Fact: The complete story of Medjugorje has been published online at https://www.medjugorje.org/
Photo credit Medjugorje.org
The six children, Ivan, Jakov, Marija, Mirjana, Vicka, and Ivanka, all have received messages from Mary, with only Marija, Vicka, and Ivan still receiving daily messages. Once the children (now adults) have received all 10 “secrets” given by Mary concerning them personally to things that will happen throughout the world, Mary stops visiting them daily but annually on a special date. The only exception is Mirjana who sees her on the 2nd of each month to pray for the unbelievers of the world and Marija who sees her on the 25th of each month. All of the messages from Mary are posted for us to read and study.
Fiction: All pilgrimages to Medjugorje must stop
While the CDF investigation and results have not yet been made public, the following statement was released to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2013: “It follows, therefore, that clerics and the faithful are not permitted to participate in meetings, conferences or public celebrations during which the credibility of such “apparitions” would be taken for granted.” Specifically, this prevented clergy from participating in the ‘tour’ that Ivan Dragićević was going to make around the United States where he was going to speak about Medjugorje and the public would have been able to see him receive messages from Mary.
Posted on Medjugorje’s website is the following message: “While no “official” pilgrimages can be endorsed or organized until a final decision has been reached, private pilgrimages are accepted and encouraged by many clergy, including Pope John Paul II. (see comments by Pope John Paul II on Medjugorje)
“(An official pilgrimage is defined as a group organized and led by bishops, priests, and other clergy. A private pilgrimage is one which is organized by laity, but can also include bishops, priests, and other clergy.)”
Fact: There are no officially approved miracles from Medjugorje
It is a fact that people around the world do report miracles that have happened to them on account of Medjugorje. These miracles include:
Real personal story: I have an aunt who has had a rosary that turned gold, although she never made it to Medjugorje. Her and a friend had planned a trip to visit Medjugorje, but she had to cancel the trip because of a critical illness. Before her friend left for Medjugorje, she called my aunt and said her rosary had turned gold. My aunt then went to get her rosary, and found it had also turned gold. (see picture of rosary above.)
Fiction: There is no video of visual signs from Medjugorje.
Just doing a quick search on YouTube, you can find thousands of videos posted from people around the world who state they witnessed a miracle at Medjugorje. Does it make these claims to be true? No, they can be doctored videos and photoshopped images. Does it confirm Medjugorje a miraculous site? No, that is for the Vatican to decide. Can you believe because of these videos? That is up to you. Again, private revelation is allowed and it is meant to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ. If videos cause you to doubt your faith or what you believe, then do not watch them, but stick with what the Authority of the Church has confirmed to be the true Word and message of God, which is the Bible.
Fact: No Pope has visited Medjugorje
Pope Francis had decided not to visit the site when he was in Sarajevo in 2015, and St. Pope John Paul II also never visited the site even though he was also in the area of Bosnia-Hercegovina in April 12 – 13, 1997. St. Pope John Paul II spoke highly of Medjugorje, including a private conversation with visionary Mirjana Soldo in 1987. He also has reportedly asked for people to pray for him at Medjugorje. Here is more on his personal feelings on Medjugorje.
Fact: The Vatican will issue a statement on Medjugorje
The Church is not in a rush to issue any confirmation or condemnation upon Medjugorje, nor should it feel pressure to do so anytime soon. The precedent is that official statements are not given on the validity of private revelation or miracles until after they are done occurring, so them not issuing an official statement before the visions are finished is not unusual. Ultimately, once the investigation is completed, they will make an official ruling on the validity of Medjugore.
The Church has issued statements warning of false visions or miracles so that the faithful will not go to worship something that is not consistent with the teachings of the Church. Just as stated above, it officially warned of clergy sponsoring or taking part in the visions, but it has not told the people they can not visit the site. If you would like to learn more about miracles, check out The Miracle Hunter’s website. It is a website compiled by Michael O’Neill, and is the most complete online resource on miracles, approved and unapproved.
Comments