Are We Getting Closer to the Final Medjugorje Moment?

Several months ago, reports began circulating that the Vatican was "soon" going to publish a firm response to the Medjugorje phenomenon, in which six "visionaries" have alleged been visited by the Blessed Virgin Mary at various frequencies since 1981, and that messages and secrets are being revealed to them.  Belief in the apparitions of Mary to these visionaries is controversial, with skeptics and proponents convinced they know the truth about the authenticity of the visions.  Medjugorje is a small town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, residing in the Diocese of Mostar.

The Bishop of Mostar, Bishop Ratko Peric, has stated in no uncertain terms that he does not believe anything divine is happening with the visionaries and Mary, and has basically forbidden any activities which presume or teach that there is.  Nevertheless, millions of Catholics around the world believe and continue to visit Medjugorje, against the Bishop's wishes, while reporting a strengthening of faith, and in some cases claiming to witness miracles.  In the early 90's the now-defunct episcopal conference of Yugoslavia issued a finding of non constat de supernaturalitate (not able to be deemed supernatural), a position that no official body has changed since.

Then recently, in March came the announcement that the Holy See was launching a commission to study the phenomenon.  In April, the members of the commission were named.  The "vote" of the commission and its findings will be passed on to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for review and consideration.

What should Catholics make of all of this?  For one, the Vatican typically takes its time so there might not be a resolution as soon as everyone would like.  Secondly, any definitive judgement about Medjugorje will likely tear parishes and friendships apart.  If the visions are deemed authentic and "worthy of belief," skeptics will bite their lips and stomp around in a snit claiming that acceptance of private revelation (the classification for which the visions belong regardless of the findings) is not mandatory and there is still nothing Godly happening.  If the visions are deemed inauthentic (essentially a delusion or worse a hoax) then believers will be faced with the prospect of assimilating that they've been led astray, and some will undoubtedly lose their Catholic faith in embarrassment and despair.

A daunting future awaits the decision of the new commission.  At this delicate time, the Body of Christ needs the Truth more than anything.  Pray for them and for the Catholic faithful who must accept the commission's results. 

Quotient out.

Our Own Usual Suspects

In The Usual Suspects, the 1995 film starring Kevin Spacey, an apparent cripple named Verbal is the lone survivor of a big shoot out involving several groups of criminals. While being interrogated by the police, he weaves a tale of intrigue to explain his presence at the tragedy. At the center of his story is a mysterious Turkish mobster named Keyser Soze, whom no one can really describe and no one has ever caught. Of course, we find out at the end of the movie that Soze never existed (and Verbal is not crippled), in the famous scene where Verbal states, "And like that... *poof*...he's gone."

Seems like we've got our own Keyser Soze in abortion. Take a look at the USCCB's web site.

You will get plenty of affirmation that we really, really, really support immigrants; several articles about Haiti; tons of inside-baseball announcements about new priests, offices, etc etc; and a little bit about the abuse scandals. Oh, and if you're interested in earning your Galling Irony merit badge, plan on attending something called "building unity in diversity" put on by the Cultural Diversity Network Convocation, to be held at Notre Dame, the school who hosted the virulently pro-death President last year and gave him an honorary degree at just about the same time 88 pro-life protesters were arrested for trespassing on the campus (they remain awaiting trial while ND President Father John Jenkins refuses to ask the local prosecutors to drop the charges-- so much for unity).

The recent disastrous health care legislation, wherein abortions will now be funded by pro-lifers? Not a mention.

Why do conservative Catholics consistently feel left out in the cold by our Bishops, or at least the corporate entities like USCCB, while the social justice left consistently gets funding, attention and praise?

Quotient out.