Press Conference by the Special Envoy Archbishop Hoser in Medjugorje: "On the Question of Truth I Can Not Say"

The Pontifical Special Envoy Archbishop Henryk Hoser at the press conference in Medjugorje.

(Medjugorje) The Pontifical Special Envoy for Medjugorje, Archbishop Henryk Hoser, Bishop of Warsaw-Praga, gave a press conference this afternoon in Medjugorje. Hoser indirectly confirmed a link between the Motu Proprio Sanctuarium in Ecclesia, published on April 1 by Pope Francis, who provided for the internationalization of prayer places by the transfer of jurisdiction to the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. Archbishop Hoser said that "Medjugorje is already part of the new evangelization."

The Polish Archbishop was appointed Special Envoy for Medjugorje by Pope Francis. A direct connection with the aforementioned motu proprio is seen because it was signed by the Pope on the same day, although it was only published last Saturday. Archbishop Hoser has been in Medjugorje since last week and will probably stay there for a longer period. Before the end of the summer, according to his mission, he has to submit "pastoral solutions" to the Pope for Medjugorje.

The press conference, in which Hoser spoke French, "the language of diplomacy", was broadcast by MaryTV.

The archbishop found very well-meaning words for the place. "There is a special, spiritual climate here."

"I think that Medjugorje is already part of the new evangelization. The numbers speak for themselves. The dynamism of the increase of pilgrims shows that the needs are also growing."

Numbers were cited: 610 appeals in countries such as the USA, Italy, Germany, which were aroused in Medjugorje, and 2.5 million pilgrims visiting the Herzegovinian town every year.

"There are other important things, such as the retreat Domus Pacis. In recent years it has been used by more than 1000 groups with over 42,000 participants. These spiritual retreats transform men inwardly," the Archbishop said.

All this "shows the intensity of Christian life in Medjugorje, which can be compared with other places."

The "Apparitions"

Archbishop Hoser was asked whether he considered the alleged Marian publications in Medjugorje to be real or not. The Special Envoy, however, stayed with an opinion. He was not entitled to comment on it.

"It is not my task to discuss whether these phenomena are true or not, because the Church has not yet defined them. This is the work of the Commission of Cardinal Ruini."

This is the international investigation commission set up by Pope Francis in 2010 under the direction of Camillo Cardinal Ruini. This commission listened to all the "seers" with the task of commenting on the issue of authenticity, whether the Mother of God has appeared in Medjugorje since 1981 or not. The Commission ended its work by the end of 2012. With the resignation of Benedict XVI. and the election of Pope Francis, it is at a standstill. In 2014, Cardinal Ruini gave Francis the final report to the Commission and presented its conclusions.

Hoser also expressed the hope that "the ultimate decision of the Commission and of Pope Francis" would soon take place.

"Unfortunately, I can not speak about the material of this Commission, since it has not yet been published. I could speak with Cardinal Ruini, but I can not say anything about it."

The term "apparitions," which Hoser used at the press conference, he uses,"because they are so-described here." But it is not a matter of their inherent value, according to the Archbishop.

The archbishop confirmed that he had "met with the 'seers'" as part of my commission, "but" not to the matter itself, "because that is the task of the Commission of the Doctrine of the Faith by Cardinal Ruini."

According to the "seers", according to Hoser, "the phenomena still persist, which presents difficulties to making a final judgment."

The Archbishop still emphasized the need for clarification. He had climbed the Podbrdo, the so-called "Mount of the Marian Apparitions." He had met a group of Polish pilgrims at the Marian statue established there and talked with them about the piety of the Virgin Mary. "It is not true that I had led the pilgrims there, as some media have claimed."

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Photo: MaryTV (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
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Cardinal Müller on Medjugorje: "Some Exaggerate the Importance of These Phenomena"

(Rome) "Some exaggerate the importance of these phenomena as if they were almost a dogma," said Cardinal Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Congregation, who responded yesterday to the questions by the ANSA Press Agency on Medjugorje.

"Even if the Church has spoken out for events of this kind, no Catholic is obliged to go there or believe in it," Cardinal Müller continued.

Since 1981, The Mother of God, is said to appear for "six seers" in the Herzegovinian mountain village of Medjugorje. In the 1980s and 1990s, the bishops declared that they were unable to establish any "supernatural origin" of the phenomenon. Nevertheless, for more than 36 years, pilgrimages of pious and lukewarm Catholics, but also unbelievers and the curious  have been pilgrimaging  to the Balkan village. Recently, the Kinofilm Mary's Land by Juan Manuel Cotelo showed a cross-section of people who say that they have found faith or believed again in Medjugorje, and who have founded apostolic, missionary, or charitable works.

At the request of Pope Benedict XVI. 2010-2012 an international commission investigated the phenomenon. The final report was handed over to Pope Francis in 2014. In February, he appointed a special envoy for Medjugorje, who was to submit proposals for "pastoral solutions" to the Church. The mission of Bishop Henryk Hoser is to be completed in summer 2017.

On the question of whether a decision on Medjugorje should be expected soon, Cardinal Miiller said:

"It takes time. At this moment, it is more important to regulate pastoral care, confession ... "

And further:

"The future of the Church does not depend on either Medjugorje or the recognized pilgrimage places such as Fatima or Lourdes: they are helpful, they can help to convey the message of the repentance of today's world."

Faith, however, is the one "laid down in daily life, in the family, at work, in the parish."

Responding to the "seers" of Medjugorje, the prefect of faith said:

"As for the role of the seers, I must say as a Catholic that we should concentrate on Jesus Christ. There may be some private revelations, but they do not replace the only revelation of God through Jesus Christ. "

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: MiL
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
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What Has Rome Decided About Medjuogorje? Commission Member Names a Third Way

(Rome) Ecclesiastical provisions provide  in  events connected with apparitions whether they are "supernatural" (supra naturaliter), or  they are "not supernatural" (non supra naturaliter). Will there be a third way for Medjugorje?

Pope Francis named the 17-member International Commission of Inquiry Medjugorje on the return flight from Sarajevo, which will replace one established in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI to investigate the phenomenon of alleged Marian apparitions in the Herzegovinian mountain village. The Commission was led by  Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the longtime chairman of the Italian Bishops' Conference (1991-2007) and close friend of Pope John Paul II. As  the Cardinal reported  Pope Francis gave the Commission's final report, referred to it several times on the plane to journalists as "significant work." Ruini blurted spontaneously: "Any way. That makes me happy. "

Preferably Rome a Gentle Solution?

Father Perrella, Mariologist and member of Medjugorje Commission of Inquiry

A statement that is obviously meant for the long duration of the decision. The Commission had concluded its work shortly before the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Since then, the final report is in Rome. The Argentine pontiff seems in no hurry. In Rome the main concern applies to the part of the faithful who are so convinced of the authenticity of Medjugorje that a negative judgment of the Church could shake or alienate even them from the Church and the faith.

For this reason they are  looking for "gentle" solution, which will satisfy  opponents, such as the bishop of Mostar, and proponents, such as the Archbishop of Vienna,  without them losing face, maintains the validity of the negative decision by the Yugoslav Bishops' Conference 1991 and guides the faithful. In the Church that sometimes means not to decide and "ride out" a question.

Interview with the Mariologist and Commissioner Salvatore Maria Perrella

On Tuesday, another member of the Commission of Inquiry, Father Salvatore Perrella Maria took a public position. The Servite is Rector of the Pontifical Theological Faculty of the Marianum in Rome and teaches Dogmatic Theology and Mariology.

"We have worked thoroughly and seriously," said Father Perrella, quoted for the daily newspaper Avvenire. The judgment of Rome will reflect the fact and point out that "appearances are always possible", and if they are recognized as genuine, "represent a gift from God," said the Mariologist.

"However, the Church has the duty to preserve the primacy of revelation, by understanding these special events only as supports of the gospel of Christ," said Father Perrella. "The Virgin Mary is radiant, but still a creature of God that never overshadows the encounter with Christ, but always encourages. Apply the words of Mary in the Gospel of John: do what he tells you to do.' As John Paul II taught,  the phenomena include the  maternal mediating role of Mary. "

Lifestyle of the "Seers" Important - Messages on "Doctrinal Ambiguities" Examined

The Mariologist pointed to the importance of the right way of life of the seer. "If they are real, they do not seek the visions. Rather, it is God who leads. It is also necessary that they keep a contemporary life in the Gospel; in addition, they may not seek the limelight."

The judgment of the Medjugorje phenomenon was carried out by the commission of inquiry, said Father Perrella, after the last of the criteria supplemented by  Pope Paul VI. There are "positive criteria": "Even the place of events has its importance, because it must have rich and lasting spiritual fruit. That is, looking for evidence of conversions, testimonies of charity and vocations."

But there were also "negative criteria" said the Mariologist: "There are clearly errors   associated with the event, such as lies or storytelling. In addition, any doctrinal ambiguities are analyzed in the messages or profit, i.e., whether,  the 'seer' or 'other' beneficiaries speculate with the events. Science also provides its contribution. For example, by determination of psychological diseases."

A third decision option?

Panorama article from August 2013

Due to its confidentiality, the Mariologist did not say what conclusion the commission of inquiry had come to. About this  he said amazing things about the judgment. Avvenire emphasized his words in bold type. Has the Servite thus anticipated the decision of the Vatican?

"You can say that  moral certainty exists with a supernatural character. Or that it is the result of fraud and therefore does not come from God. There is a third possibility, which is not included in the provisions of the Holy See, but it has been considered by the theologians: The Commission chooses neither a yes nor a no, but notes that at present there is not an obviously blatantly supernatural phenomenon."

Father Perrella referred to the non-decision as a "third way". As a member of the commission of inquiry it must be assumed that he has thus   not merely posed theoretical speculations.

Recognize as a place of worship, Report Directly to Rome and Not Definitely Confirm Phenomena

On August 14, 2013 Ignazio Ingrao published in the weekly magazine Panorama article: "Will Pope Francis Stop Medjugorje?" That was a month before the new pontiff took a position for the first time unofficially on Medjugorje. Ingrao wrote:

"After the disclaimer on Medjugorje that, during the pontificate of Benedict XVI were put forward [...] now many hope that Bergoglio's Marian devotion will cause him to officially recognize the apparitions.

According to the first indiscretions, surrounding the the visions, it seems on the contrary, that the solution to propose to the Pope, the Commission is recognize Medjugorje as a simple place of worship, but insinuate direct control of the Holy See.  This without definitely commenting on the phenomena. "

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Medjugorje.pro/Secretum meum mihi (screenshots)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

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