The Italian newspaper Il Giornale, owned by Silvio Berlusconi, published the information on the decision of the Vatican not to recognize Međugorje and the apparition of Our Lady in this place, nor the Međugorje visionaries.
It was stated in the text by the expert for questions regarding the issues in Vatican Serena Santini that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has a negative attitude towards Međugorje, and that the report also consists a ban on the visionaries to express the “alleged messages of the Virgin Mary” in public.
Quoting the Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, Santini wrote that the Vatican does not recognize the apparition of Our Lady, as well as that Međugorje is not recognized as a sanctuary. Besides that, the Catholics are prohibited even talking to the visionaries. However, Međugorje can be recognized as a place of prayer.
Moreover, the Congregation rejected a request of the visionaries to recognize the parish of St. James in Međugorje as a Marian sanctuary. In addition, it banned the bishops to host the visionaries for the purpose of public gathering and testimonies.
It was stated in the newspaper that the International Commission of Inquiry found that the alleged messages of Our Lady are theologically inconsistent and that the visionaries acted for their economic interests, as well as that that they invested the money in hotels and travel agencies, exploiting the “phenomenon of Međugorje”.
However, the Vatican remains silent about Međugorje, and different information appears in the public. The expert for issues regarding the Vatican of the Torino Stampa Andrea Tornielli claims that the Congregation has not discussed Međugorje, while others say that the discussion took place.
As for Pope Francis, he expressed the disbelief in the “phenomenon of Međugorje”, saying that Our Lady is not “a head of the post office to send daily messages”.
In case the Vatican really does not recognize the apparitions of Our Lady in Međugorje, this place will still remain a place of prayer, but the bishops will not be allowed to organize pilgrimages or to recognize the authenticity of the apparitions. The focus will be only on prayer and the reception of sacraments. Also, the visionaries will not be allowed to share their experiences or participate in public gatherings anywhere in the world. They are also required to give up their shares in hotels, agencies and the like.
(Source: klix.ba)
