Vatican Blow For Medjugorje Hoaxers!
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with an order signed by Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, has prohibited the Parish Priest, Fra Marinko Sakota and the six supposed visionaries who claim they have been seeing the “Gospa” for 34 years, from delivering testimonies or spreading the “messages” inside the Parish of Medjugorje. This is a very hard blow inflicted on the “Ministry of Propaganda” in Medjugorje, the communication-machine of the supposed visionaries, named such because it is able to send the texts of the “messages”, translated into various languages, almost instantly, to every corner of the world also thanks to the social network and innumerable devotional sites. 
This is the umpteenth confirmation, after the prohibition imposed on some of the visionaries from holding public meetings in Italian dioceses, that the recognition of the supposed apparitions is proceeding towards “black smoke”. As has been already anticipated by this Blog last June, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in light of the final report drafted by the so-called “Ruini Commission” has not recognized the “apparitions” as supernatural. The Vatican ministry led by Cardinal Müller will meet within the next few weeks to formalize its assessment, it being understood that the last word will be left to Pope Francis, who in his turn, has made no mystery, even if veiled, about his skepticism about the authenticity of the Medjugore phenomena. It is however, already possible to anticipate now what the assessment of the Church is going to be. The only concession for Medjugorje will be that it is recognized as a place of prayer, as without doubt, those who go there to receive the Sacraments, do so in good faith.
Anyway, considering the “apparitions” appear to have nothing supernatural about them, the faithful will be prohibited from taking part in “the ecstasies” of the six “visionaries”, and the latter will be forbidden to divulge the texts of the messages they had [apparently] received from Our Lady. Another NO, will regard the Parish of Medjugorje itself, St. James’, which will not become a Marian Sanctuary, as the six visionaries had wanted. It is however probable that the nomination of a Pontifical Legate, who, representing the Pope, will verify respect for the rules at the place. But not only: Bishops should not welcome the “visionaries” in their dioceses for public gatherings and testimonies, as happened until only a short time ago, but limit themselves to assuring that a priest accompany the pilgrims going to Medjugorje. The pilgrims themselves, going to Medjugorje, should not recognize, with their presence, the authenticity of the “apparitions” and should avoid any contact with the “visionaries”, concentrating themselves only on prayer and reception of the Sacraments.
Yet, why so much severity from the Vatican? Primarily for the theological inconsistency of the messages, then for the economic interests of the “visionaries” who have invested in hotels and travel agencies, then for the rivalry that has divided some of them and for the disobedience shown towards both the Bishop of Mostar, (their Diocese) and the Pope, who through the “Ruini Commission” had ordered them in vain, to consign the ten secrets they had [apparently] received from the “Gospa”. One of the key-aspects that forced the Vatican to use an iron-fist is precisely that of money: true visionaries have never been seen to make a profit from their own apparitions. At this point, doubt is licit: do the six “visionaries” of Medjugorje sustain that they see and speak to Our Lady because the alleged apparitions are real or only to call the largest number of pilgrims to travel with their agencies and stay in their hotels? Source
Comments (40)
I just wish the Vatican would hurry up and pronounce a full judgement against this nonsensical “shrine”. These bits and pieces of disapproval are not good enough IMHO.
Fidelis,
I think we may have that judgement in a few weeks’ time. It seems Pope Francis is not pro-Medjugorje. A Papal confirmation that nothing supernatural is happening at Medjugorje should put paid to this scam once and for all, and not before time.
Formerly, I have been close friends with a Medjugorje devotee, and I have witnessed first hand the pathological fanaticism which is very commonly (although not exclusively) characteristic of persons within the movement.
On account of these personal experiences, I remain sceptical that any terminal judgment on the certain non-supernaturality of the phenomena (i.e. a papal pronouncement of constat de non supernaturalitate) will deter the most convinced believers.
I predict, and far be it from me to set myself up as a prophet, that these particular persons shall persist in their heresy and occultism, taking a schismatic trajectory resembling that of the Palmarian sect.
MMR
I think you’re right. I too have a close friend who is a devotee, and she doesn’t take kindly to criticism of it.
I can’t remember where I read recently that Medjugorje is absolutely infested with demons, but I can believe it.
It’s a psychological defence.
Muffin Man
Spot on. I’ve seen this behaviour on other occasions, like with the Vatican-condemned ‘Divine Innocence’ sect (which operates locally to me). Obedience to the ‘seer(s)’ trumps obedience to legitimate ecclesiastical authority, every time.
The latest ruse about Medjugorje is online now. Obviously, some of them have seen the writing on the wall, and they’ve had to devise a new approach. One of the biggest Medjugorje promoters is now saying that it is the will of God that Medjugorje isn’t approved. I know, you couldn’t make this stuff up. But here it is:- http://vatican.medjugorje.com/why-has-god-not-wanted-church-approval-of-medjugorje
So next time you meet a Medjugorje addict and tell them the bad news, you’ll just be faced with that pitying expression and hear the words ‘Ah, but don’t you realise – God doesn’t want Medjugorje to be approved’ !! You can’t win, you really can’t.
‘Ah, but don’t you realise – God doesn’t want Medjugorje to be approved’
I predicted this. As I say in my comment below, they will begin making comparisons of themselves to Padre Pio. They will claim the church is persecuting them, that they are a sign of contradiction. They will claim that they are undergoing a period of trial, after which, the Church will change her mind, will appologise, and the whole movement will be vindicated.
They will be obedient all but in their hearts. I can’t imagine they will stop recruiting people to their movement either.
MMR
I’m quite sure you’re right about that, but the majority of ordinary gullible sheep will heed official Church rejection of supernatural events at Medjugorje and stop supporting the fanatics. The ultimate end, I think, will be a handful of nutcases who will eventually pale into complete obscurity and insignificance. The big money business will certainly dry up.
Do you think any persons will leave the Church over it? I think some will. They will be disillusioned.
Some might actually finally realise that there is a crisis in the Church and will come to Tradition. I hope this is the case for the former friend mentioned above.
I can foresee another group emerging: they will be obedient to the Church’s judgement, but will not assent to the Church’s judgement in their hearts, pretending somehow that they are like Padre Pio, and that the Church will eventually change Her mind, and that after this period of trial they will be vindicated.
I cannot see the seers giving up. Let us wait for them to show their true colours. They will probably denounce the Pope as a communist and an ‘unbelieveing Judas’, such as the Gospa has been previously inclined.
I wouldn’t bank on that Ath – maybe in saner times, but not now. And especially if the Vatican offer ‘concessions’ such as stated in one report, which alleged that the Vatican was set to recognise Medjugorje as a place of prayer, while rejecting the authenticity of the alleged apparitions as such (although how that can be done is beyond me . . .). Obviously, we’ll have to wait and see what actually happens, as such reports can be unreliable, but then the Vatican has got form for trying to ‘legitimise’ phenomena which had their origins in falsehoods. Opus Sanctorum Angelorum and the Legionaries of Christ come to mind . . .
I have always been an ‘unbelieveing Judas’ (to quote ‘the Gospa’).
MMR
Nothing would surprise me in this age of rebellion against legitimate authority. The initial findings of the Bishops of Mostar should have been enough for most pro-Medjugorje Catholics to drop their interest in that place. But, as we have seen over many decades, the majority obey only their own passions and trust their judgement more than that of the Church’s shepherds in these matters.
To make things even worse, the ignorance of Catholics today is quite astounding. Many don’t even have the basics of the Faith let alone the teachings of the saints and Fathers regarding the discerning of spirits. Is it any wonder that so many just blindly embrace every novelty that comes along?
The very volume (circa 40,000) of banal messages from this so-called “Gospa” should have been enough to make even the dimmest Catholic question the authenticity of this unwholesome business. But no, even that simple logic was ignored. Even the American devotees didn’t take their own advice and “go figure”.
Athanasius,
“The very volume (circa 40,000) of banal messages from this so-called “Gospa” should have been enough to make even the dimmest Catholic question the authenticity of this unwholesome business”
But it did, it did! I questioned it and they don’t come much dimmer than li’l ole me!
N O T I C E . . .
I’m going to be away from my computer for most of the daylight hours today folks, but will be back, please God, in due course, so no “while the cat’s away…” please and thank you! I thought I ought to place this notice in case any Medjugorje fans appear, as they tend to do when this subject is being discussed. So, remember, patience one and all. As I say, I will return in due course and any troll-like behaviour will be seen to/dealt with blah blah, or to put it rather more grammatically – all troublemaking efforts will be deleted by my fair hand over my trusty old “delete” key, in jig time. 😀
Editor
It wasn’t that long ago you were saying “they don’t come much trimmer than li’l ole me”. Or did I misread?
Here’s a wee example of truly dim.
A woman gets a visit from a double glazing salesman, who talks her into having new windows and doors fitted to her house. One year later she gets a phone call from the company saying that she still owes them £6,000 for the installation and hasn’t paid a penny.
Ah!, says she, you must have made a mistake. You see, the salesman told me at the time that my new windows and doors would pay for themselves within a year. So as far as I can tell that bill should be paid by now. She then hangs up the phone and says to herself ‘that man is so dim’.
Athanasius,
That woman is onto something. I have lost count of the dim salespeople who ring me (every day, annoyingly) and begin by saying they’re not phoning to sell me anything, just to save me money. I just reply that I’ll save my own money, thank you very much. I’m sure they think I’m dim but I know that if I let them save my money, they’ll use it to go on holiday or something. I’m not stupid… 😀
Great joke! LOL!
Not only are the messages of poor literary quality, they are also sentimental, and are theologically superficial, if not occasionally heterodox. They lack the substance for any practical application to the spiritual life. Not to mention verbose, which is in contrast to approved visions, where Our Lady’s speech was simple, if indeed Our Lady said anything at all, such as at Knock.
Whoever is writing these ‘communications’ must be bored senseless. It is the kind of crap people write on Twitter, and they have been doing it for over 30 years. How is it not blasphemous to claim that Our Lady is the source of such rubbish?
If the whole thing is approved (*giggle*), then they should surely make ‘Our Lady Queen of Peace’ [sic.] patroness of social media.
This house belongs to one of the seers (Ivan Dragičević):
http://www.medjugorje.ws/data/olm/images/articles/ivan-dragicevic-house-boston.jpg
The gaudy mansion is in Massachusetts.
I have nothing against rich people living in large houses. However, Dragičević’s wealth has not come about by enterprise and/or inheritance, but solely through the Medjugorje phenomena. This is disgusting and Medjugorje supporters need to ask themselves if they are comfortable that such opulence has been obtained through promotion of the messages.
(I say ‘opulence’ but the house does not at all appeal to my tastes)
MMR,
I agree with you.
Perhaps Medjugorje supporters should also question why none of “seers” do not seem to have considered Religious Life. Not one of them have entered at all.
To me this is at odds with the likes of Saint Bernadette to whom Our lady appeared at Lourdes. And again with Sister Lucia, at Fatima. Both did become nuns.
I have no doubt whatsoever that fantastical events occur in Medjugorje that cannot be explained by scientific investigation….
Similar things have happened to members of my family, when playing with ouija boards.
MMR,
I do think that is the key to Medjugorje – that is comes from the devil. He can make shapes etc and make people think they’re seen a vision.
From what I’ve seen of the “visionaries”, they don’t actually believe they’ve been visited by a heavenly being. They’ve lied, and made up stories to cover their mistakes. It’s a money-making scam for them.
Some of those who saw the apparition at Knock were married. I assume they didn’t abandon their families after the event. Marriage is a great vocation too. I don’t see why visionaries should necessarily go into religious life.
I would hardly expect someone to leave an existing spouse and family because they had witnessed a vision. There is a difference, though, between witnessing an event, and actually communicating with the Mother of God – and that, apparently, so very often. There’s no rule that such a “visionary” should enter the religious life, but I should have thought that basic morality, if noting else, would prevent them from benefiting financially. Wouldn’t you, Eileenanne?
Therese,
To be honest, I’ve never understood Knock. I can’t understand why Our Lady would appear and not speak. What’s the point?
So, it’s got nothing to do with married people being there (which I didn’t know until now) but I’ve never really taken it seriously, never felt the need to look into it, because of that, the fact that Our Lady said not a word. Maybe there’s something I’m missing, but I am not a devotee of Knock for that reason.
Nicky,
That’s my own position as well. It’s something I haven’t been able to explain but I am not a believer in Knock.
You’re not alone, Nicky. I’ve never understood Knock either.
Nicky,
I felt the same way as you until I read a very interesting book on Knock years ago. I can’t remember the title or the author’s name but I still have it somewhere so will dig it out and let you know, if you like. The fact that no words were spoken doesn’t necessarily mean it was false. Remember the adage – ‘a picture speaks a thousand words’. As far as I can recall, the book put forward some interesting points about the vision at Knock of Our Lord represented as a Lamb, Our Lady, St Joseph, and St John the Evangelist, being a silent one.
On a lighter note, a dear old Irish friend of mine (RIP), who loved a good natter herself, once jokingly said to me that Our Lady never said anything at Knock because She knew She wouldn’t get a word in edgeways!
Westminster Fly,
I’ve heard theories about the silence, one is that Our Lady was silent because she knew of the devastation to be caused by the very busy and noisy new Mass to come, I think I’ve heard them all. I still don’t feel convinced, but if you have any other theory, I’m willing to listen.
Nicky,
This is the book, if you’re interested:- http://www.veritasbooksonline.com/featured-1/veritas-publications-1/veritas-books/apparition-at-knock.html but please don’t think I’m trying to persuade you to believe in Knock. No-one is bound to accept any private revelation. I’ve always had an aversion to La Salette even though it is approved, so I know how you feel.
Westminster Fly/Nicky
I would be very wary of reading anything by Michael Walsh. Unless there’s two of them, he is a former Jesuit who abandoned his priestly ministry and is an out and out dissenter. I have checked out his books on the saints for use in schools, and he has distorted every one of them – St Thomas More, for example, died for the rights of conscience (not papal supremacy) and so on.
It may be that the book on Knock is fine, but I just dismiss everything attributed to him. So, if you do read it, Nicky, do so with a discerning eye.
Thanks WF, for recommending it in good faith – I know you’d be the last person knowingly to recommend anything from a questionable source.
Editor / Nicky
No, I think there are two Michael Walsh’s – one, as you say, an ex-Jesuit priest and dissenter, the other (the author of the Knock book) from the Archdiocese of Tuam. These are pictures of him at what looks like a book launch in 2009:-
http://www.tuamarchdiocese.org/2009/06/the-apparition-at-knock-by-mgr-michael-walsh
Westminster Fly,
That is definitely NOT a photo of the ex-Jesuit Michael Walsh, so apologies for getting that wrong, and thank you for correcting my mistake, without demanding my resignation!
What confuses me is that the bio given for “your” Mons Michael Walsh fits the ex-Jesuit, as well: “Michael J. Walsh, Michael Walsh has written or edited over a dozen works on the history of the Church, both ancient and contemporary. He was until recently, Librarian at Heythrop College, University of London, UK. “
I presume that can be attributed to the fact that someone, like me, who didn’t know there are TWO Michael Walsh clerics writing books, presumed that the bio was correct for the “wrong” Michael Walsh (if you get my drift!)
Anyway, all’s well that ends well. Enjoy the book Nicky!
Yes, I just double-checked, see the picture on this link. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-J.-Walsh/e/B001H6O5QQ That is the ex-Jesuit Michael Walsh. Definitely not the same man as the author of the Knock book.
Editor,
I think the confusion arises because it looks like Veritas (who market the book) appear to have mistakenly put down the brief biography of the ex-priest on their website. Mystery solved!
It’s the money-spinning aspect of Medjugorje that really gives it away as a hoax, IMHO. No true seers would be making money hand over fist the way that lot do.
On the matter of private revelations it is worth noting the following words from the “Treatise on Mystical Theology,” by Fr. Farges (1923):
“Whereas the divine vision always conforms to the gravity and majesty of heavenly things, diabolical figures will infallibly have something unworthy of God, something ridiculous, extravagant, disorderly, or unreasonable about them.”
Also, the official Church teaching concerning private revelation is explained by Pope Benedict XIV (1675-1758):
“[The Church] simply permits them [private revelations] to be published for the instruction and the edification of the faithful. The assent to be given to them is not therefore an act of Catholic Faith but of human faith, based upon the fact that these revelations are probable and worthy of credence.
“St. John of the Cross asserts that the desire for revelations deprives faith of its purity, develops a dangerous curiosity that becomes a source of illusions, fills the mind with vain fancies, and often proves the want of humility, and of submission to Our Lord, Who, through His public revelation, has given all that is needed for salvation.
“We must suspect those apparitions that lack dignity or proper reserve, and above all, those that are ridiculous. This last characteristic is a mark of human or diabolical machination.” – De Serv. Dei Beatif.
Really, the effective and final suppression of the Medjugorje jamboree is thirty two years overdue. I don’t know about elsewhere, but it appears to me as though a huge number of those faithful Catholics in Ireland who still do something a bit more than go to Mass on Sunday have been taken in by this hoax. “Medj” and EWTN appear to have a very firm foothold amongst “active” Catholics over here in the Republic of Sodom. No doubt it has something to do with lack of leadership and the stupefying banality of novus ordoism. Religious “entertainment” appears to be filling a void left by the war waged against sound Catholic teaching, devotions and worship.
Apart from the heresy, lies, disobedience and undermining of Church authority, financial exploitation, childish nonsensical content of the “messages”, Medjugorge showcases Pentecostalism and the Charismatic movement, surely another outlet for the Modernist obsession with feelings, experiences and vital immanence.
The case against the tens of thousands of “apparitions” at Medjugorge and wherever the show happens to be in town being the appearance of Our Lady has been set down in detail. For me, the simplest, most glaring and irrefutable objection is Medj’s signature “message”, that of the heresy of religious indifferentism, which was evident almost from the beginning.
D) Oct. 1, 1981: “All religions are equal before God,” says the Virgin. (Chronological Corpus of Medjugorje, p. 317)
“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)
“Each one’s religion must be respected, and you must preserve yours for yourselves and for your children.” (Kraljevic, p.68)
For me, all debate ends there. How any Catholic can even consider for one second that heresy might come from the mouth of Our Lady is beyond the beyond.
Here’s the verdict of Bishop Emeritus of Isernia-Venafro, and exorcist, Andrea Gemma:
“It is an absolutely diabolical event, around which numerous underworld interests revolve. The Holy Church, which alone can make a pronouncement, through the words of the Bishop of Mostar, has already said publicly and officially that the Madonna never appeared in Medjugorje and that this whole production is the work of the Devil.”
Leo,
Yet again you provide us with a fantastic treasure trove of information and quotes and this one on private revelations is no exception. This quote jumped out at me and by itself, without any other evidence, proves that Medjugorje is from the Devil:
“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.
How can these people who follow this “apparition” not realise when they read such a “message from Our Lady” that it cannot possibly be true? They’re supposed to be faithful Catholics, showing devotion to Our Lady. Do they really not see that she would never say such a thing?
Leo,
I couldn’t agree more – those quotes of indifferentism put into Our Lady’s mouth by the charlatans posing as seers, say it all and no educated Catholic (educated in the Faith, I mean) would countenance having anything to do with the Medjugorje scam, on reading that heresy. It’s so useful having those quotes all in one place, so thank you a million times over.
I also noted, with sadness, your paragraph containing a reference to “here in the Republic of Sodom…” because it just brings back again the full shock-horror of the vote for same-sex “marriage” in once Catholic Ireland. I’ll never forget that day, as the very first time I had the thought that I was glad my beloved Irish mother was not here to see that scandal. She loved Ireland with all her heart – she’d have been heartbroken.
And yes, that Bishop Emeritus is right – Medjugorje is, without doubt, the work of the Devil.
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