Only "Administrative Decision" on Medjugorje -- Cardinal Puljics Recommendation to the Pope

(Rome) Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Sarajevo and member of the Pontifical Commission of Inquiry, which is mandated to study the phenomenon of Medjugorje, said to have "recommended" to the pope to come to a decision on Medjugorje only on "administrative" aspects, but not on the "phenomena" and messages. [The messages are obviously heretical, if words can mean anything at all.]

AD 

HERE YOU CAN ADVERTISE »

The Virgin Mary is alleged to have regularly appeared at a parish of Medjugorje for the past 35 years to six "seers", which is  under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Mostar. Bishop Ratko Peric, like his predecessor Pavao Zanic (to 1993), regarded the Medjugorje phenomenon with great skepticism.  Bishop Zanic declared as competent ecclesiastical authority that the alleged apparitions were "not supernatural" in character ( non constat de supernaturalitate ). This decision was supported and confirmed in 1991 by the Yugoslav Bishops' Conference  and still applies today.

People have "the right to go to Medjugorje to pray and do penance," explained Cardinal Puljic in December for the Turkish state news agency Anadolu Agency (AA). Medjugorje "is one of the largest confessional benches, not only the Balkans, but in all of Europe, and that has to be somehow taken into account when deciding which one will meet".

Cardinal Puljic therefore recommended to the Pope a decision to "solely" address the "administrative aspects", responding in  "no way to the question of appearances." "When it comes to visions and messages, which are still under consideration,  the Church does not move quickly.  The Church does not hurry, but always arrives at a conclusion. I'm not worried about the attitude of the Holy Father or those of the CDF. "

Medjugorje

Concerning  the pilgrims, the Cardinal, that which has already been said  applies: "It is important that the people who go to Medjugorje, pray for the strengthening of their faith and are comforted in returning home."

"Solomonic" or "Educational" solution?

Behind the scenes there has been a tug of war for years in the Vatican   around Medjugorje. The Vatican became increasingly cautious, while some Church officials, including the Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Schönborn, are convinced of the authenticity of the phenomenon. [Not exactly a vote of confidence.] Since the 80s, however, there has been a negative decision on  Medjugorje. Since then, it is argued by proponents that Rome had not yet decided. A decision of Rome, however, not canonically necessary to be  provided. Among the supporters  of Medjugorje, there is the claim that Pope John Paul II. and the then faith Prefect of the CDF, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger have commented positively about Medjugorje, which has been denied in writing by Cardinal Ratzinger 1998.

In 2009 the CDF confirmed the jurisdiction of the Bosnian bishops and thus the negative decision of 1991.

In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI. finally established a Vatican commission of inquiry to examine the phenomenon of Medjugorje and bring about the much-discussed decision in Rome. The signals emanating  from the Commission  were negative in the matter. At the turn of 2012, the final   report  was placed in front of the Pope.

Since then,  a decision has been delayed by some church circles, helped along by the unexpected resignation of Benedict XVI. The Commission of Inquiry had completed its work, yet remained  for another two years in office until 2014.

A postponement is argued for since it is concerned that a negative decision could unsettle many believers and shake in their faith. In fact, those in the know confirm that tension is very high among Medjugorje. The danger of divisions within the Bosnian Franciscans makes the regular rounds.  An argument  from experience- which is not taken lightly in Rome,  confirms the reluctance of Pope Francis. Francis has expressed himself repeatedly against "an addiction to apparitions and messages."

On 6 June 2015, the Pope had himself expressed the view of an early decision on the return flight from Sarajevo.  But nothing has happened since then. At the end of June, Andrea Tornielli, the  papal  household vaticanist said that a decision would wait until "after the summer break", perhaps would even be  given "at the Synod of Bishops".

An "administrative" solution has presented itself after months. A decree lays on the desk of the pope which has been formulated since the spring of 2015. Medjugorje is recognized as a place of prayer, entrusted to the pastoral care of the Franciscan Order, but is subordinated to the jurisdiction and supervision of Rome. There will be no light  construction because it interferes with the rights of the Mostar diocese. Public appearances of the "seers" are also suppressed or completely prevented. As far as  a non-decision on the "apparitions" and "messages"  it is argued that the phenomenon is still ongoing and therefore, to make a final judgment prematurely was indeed impossible.   There is talk in Rome  of a "Solomonic" or "educational" solution.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Picture: Cari Filii / Wikicommons

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches..

AMDG

 Print Article

Cardinal Puljic Must Vacate Residence-- Sarajevo Court Upholds Communist Decision: Croatia in an Uproar

(Sarajevo)  In the past 17th of November there was a final judgement by the Bosnian-Herzegovinan Federal Government in Sarajevo, has ordered the vacation of the residence of the Archbishop of Vrhbosna-sarajevo, Vinko Cardinal Puljuic, from the Episcopal Palace.  The residence, the property of the Curia, was confiscated in the past by the Communist regime, to house there Communist or Muslim spies, according to Corrispenza Romana.

During the Bosnian war the Cardinal was again in occupation of the residence.  Not just the residence, but the entire Palace was bugged with listening devices, including the bedroom of the Cardinal.  The widow and the other relatives of the last, Communist spy, who had continued to live in the residence and has died, complained to the court and demanded the return of the residence.  15 years after the reinstatement to the rightful owner, the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna-Sarajevo, the Federal Government of Sarajevo unexpectedly ruled in favor of the widow which was in transgression of every fundamental law.  On the 17th of November the court decided that the Archdiocese, which which had been stolen by the Communist regime and given to a Communist Agent, must now deliver it to his widow.  At the same time, the court has ordered Cardinal Puljic to leave the residence.  The Cardinal has stoutly replied that he will not leave the residence.

The Croatian Press in Bosnia, the Herzegovina and Croatians have been in an uproar since the judgment.  A wave of protest has gripped Croatia.  There are voices, who are speaking in preparation of a Croatian mass demonstration in Sarajevo, to which Croatians will come from all of their accustomed areas to gather in the Bosnian Capital.

This renewed attack on the Catholics of Croatia in Bosnia-Herzegovina are met with general silence by the  international community of nations, which holds Bosnia-Herzegovina in a protective status.  Cardinal Puljic protests to the high representatives of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Austrian diplomat Valentin Inzko, against the judgment.  The  Kärntner Slovene explained simply that it can do nothing.  A witness to the Cardinal's consequent discussion with a Slovenian Bishop along with Inzko has encouraged heavy condemnations to the UN-delegation and EU-special agent against this act of piracy.

Inzko works as the higher representative with plenary powers in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  Against every form of open rights violations or discriminating judgments he can intervene directly and immediately, and officially remove those responsible from their offices, be they civil servants, mayors, judges or even ministers.

These plenary powers are in any case never invoked in the case of decisions related to political questions, behind them the Muslim party of the Democratic Alliance (SDA) stands, as they are permitted by corresponding directives from the American Government.  The SDA is the strongest party in Bosnia since 1990 and has formed all of the governments.  The Catholic Croatians with some 17 percent are not only the smallest of the three Bosnia-Herzegovina populations and religious communities united by force, but they are certainly the most discriminated against.

(Corrispondenza Romana/Giuseppe Nardi, Bild: de.academic.ru)

Also reported on,  here. 

Translated from katholisces...