Has the Mostar Bishop got support in not recognizing Međugorje?

I have had the honour to meet the Pope John Paul II and introduce to him and present him several copies of my first book “Međugorje: the Message”, in the Polish and Italian languages. When he received them, he grinned broadly and said: “Ah, Međugorje, Međugorje! Have you been there during the war? (This was happening in 1993). When I told him yes, I was there recently, he said: “Good, very good.”

As the incredible apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Međugorje continues into a 26th year of daily appearances, the local bishop of Mostar-Duvno, Ratko Perić, maintains a fierce antagonistic position against them by publicly denouncing them and ordering the visionaries to stop telling people that the Blessed Virgin Mary is, and has been appearing to them for 25 years.
The bishop, a long-standing opponent of the apparitions, took a page out of the book of his predecessor, Bishop Pavao Žanić, and launched his latest attack during confirmation Mass at St. James Church in Međugorje in June. Bishop Žanić had done the same in June 1986, to the distress of the local villagers, then and now.

Does the Pope appreciate Bishops’ opinion?

At a time when the celebration should be on young people entering the Church, Bishop Perić stated in his homily: “As the local bishop, I maintain that regarding the events of Međugorje, on the basis of the investigations and experience gained thus far throughout these last 25 years, the church has not confirmed a single apparition as authentically being the Madonna,” he said. He then called on the alleged visionaries and “those persons behind the messages to demonstrate ecclesiastical obedience and to desist making these public manifestations and messages in this parish.”

Adding to the chagrin of his audience, Bishop Perić stated that because the church did not accept the claims of the visionaries it was illicit for priests to “express their private views contrary to the official position” during Mass, in acts of popular piety or in the Catholic media. He went on to say that Catholics were forbidden to make pilgrimages to Međugorje if by such visits “they presuppose the authenticity of the apparitions or if by undertaking them attempt to certify these apparitions.”
The final slam came when the bishop said his views, and those of his predecessor, Bishop Žanić, were supported by the pope and by former Pope John Paul II. He expressed appreciation to Popes Benedict and John Paul II, “who have always respected the judgments of the bishops of Mostar-Duvno, of the previous as well as the current bishop, regarding the so-called apparitions and messages of Međugorje, all the while recognizing the holy father’s right to give a final decision on these events.”

Overstepping the authorities

Thus, in summation, Bishop Perić is telling the visionaries to stop public pronouncements concerning receiving messages from the Blessed Virgin Mary; that the Vatican does not allow official pilgrimages to Međugorje for priests or laity and that they should not even express their views concerning the apparitions; and, that Popes Benedict and his predecessor John Paul II, had doubts about the authenticity of the apparitions.

With holy respect for the office of the Bishop of Mostar-Duvno, I strongly challenge the veracity of his statements and his authority to tell the visionaries, priests and laity to cease such claims.

Let us start with the official position of the Church concerning Međugorje. The Vatican, while prohibiting official parish pilgrimages to Međugorje-or to the site of any claimed apparition until it has been fully investigated and ruled upon-has stated in official media releases for years now that the matter is still under review. It has been its position for more than 20 of the 25 years the apparitions have been allegedly occurring. And, contrary to the bishop's pronouncements that unofficial pilgrimages, including by priests and bishops, are not acceptable. “You cannot say people cannot go there until it has been proven false,” stated the Vatican spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, in Rome's last official statement, which was reiterated several weeks ago. “This has not been said, so anyone can go if they want.”

It follows that anyone can fully express belief in the apparitions unofficially, that is, until the Church makes a final ruling concerning them.

The bishop is truly overstepping the boundaries of his official authority by telling the visionaries or anyone else including priests and laity that they can’t express their belief.

John Paul II truly loved Međugorje

As to the bishop’s claim during his confirmation homily that both popes agreed with him concerning doubts about the apparitions at Međugorje, that is very different from my understanding of past statements and actions of the popes.

It is widely known that Pope John Paul II dearly loved Međugorje, believed and wanted to go there. However, he would not do so unless the bishop invited him, an invitation that never was issued. The beloved Pope told many bishops to go to Međugorje, expressed in public statements his desire to go, and personally expressed a positive response to this writer during a visit to the Vatican. I was honored to meet him and present him copies of my first book, Međugorje: The Message, in Polish and in Italian. Upon receiving them, he broadly grinned and said, “Ah, Međugorje, Međugorje! Have you been there during the war? (this was in 1993)”. When I told him yes, that I had been there recently, he said, “Good, very good!”
There is no doubt after so many similar encounters and public statements that Pope John Paul II dearly loved and believed in Međugorje.

While Pope John Paul II was widely reported to have had a positive discernment of the apparitions, it is not known how the current Pope Benedict XVI stands on the matter. One source reports that recently when asked about Međugorje, the Pope said: “Let it continue as it has.” Now, there is a mandate from the Vatican to form an international commission to reopen the investigation into the apparitions.

Ratzinger removed the authority of Bishop of Mostar in 1986

More importantly, in 1986, as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, it was then Cardinal Ratzinger who removed the authority of the Mostar bishop to rule on the apparitions, placing the matter in the hands of a national commission that is now headed by the Cardinal of Sarajevo. That commision has stated that it will not issue a final decision until the apparitions have come to a conclusion, which according to Canon Law, is the way it should be. Further, according to a Croatian source close to the situation Bishop Perić and his predecessor had been instructed by the Vatican not to make public remarks about the apparitions. That ruling stands today; yet, the bishop chooses an occasion that should be a time of celebration and happiness for young people and for the villagers of Međugorje to violate that ruling and once again, slam Međugorje.

As we enter this 26th year of what I think is the most incredible and important event of our times, let us pray sincerely and humbly for Bishop Ratko Peric to find the truth of Međugorje personally and officially. Let us also pray just as sincerely for the Franciscan priests who are in charge of the parish of St. James, for the visionaries and for the people of the village, to be obedient to the teachings of the Church and humble in their service to what our Blessed Mother is asking of us through her messages.

The peace, grace and love of Jesus be with each of you. (By Wayne Weible)