The Vatican gave the green light for Catholics to continue visiting a southern Bosnian village where children reported visions of the Virgin Mary, according to AP News.
In a detailed analysis after nearly 15 years of study, the Vatican doctrine office did not declare that the reported apparitions in Medjugorje were authentic or of supernatural origin.
In accordance with new Vatican criteria adopted this year, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith ruled that the positive “spiritual fruits” arising from the Medjugorje experience were more than justified to allow the faithful to organise pilgrimages there and allow public acts of worship.
With the blessing of Pope Francis, the doctrine office decided that “the abundant and widespread fruits, which are so beautiful and positive,” justified its decision. The office stated that it “highlights that the Holy Spirit is acting fruitfully for the good of the faithful in the midst of this spiritual phenomenon.”
In 1981, six children and teenagers reported visions of the Madonna on a hill in the village of Medjugorje, in the wine region of southern Bosnia. Some claimed that the visions had occurred regularly since then and that Mary was sending them messages.
However, unlike the better known and recognised Catholic shrines at Fatima (Portugal) or Lourdes (France), the alleged apparitions at Medjugorje have never been recognised as genuine by the Vatican. Two experts engaged by Pope Benedict XVI to study Medjugorje even concluded that the local phenomenon had a “demonic” origin.
Religious tourism became an important part of the local economy. Pilgrims were catered for by hotels, private inns, family farms, as well as sports complexes and campsites. The growth contributed to the financial well-being of the nearby municipality after the war in Bosnia in the 1990s had ruined the economy.
Green light
In its assessment, the Vatican doctrine office recalled that in May this year it announced that it was no longer involved in authenticating alleged apparitions and other supernatural phenomena.
The new criteria stipulate six main results, the most favourable of which is that the church issues a green light, the so-called “nihil obstat.” This means that there is nothing contrary to the faith in the event and therefore Catholics can express devotion to it.
On Thursday, the Vatican gave Medjugorje “nihil obstat” with Francis’ approval. The local bishop issued a decree authorising worship there. The head of the doctrine office, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, also stated that a shrine could be built there.
The decision does not require the faithful to believe in the Medjugorje phenomenon, but allows them to do so.
It will affect Medjugorje, which is in the municipality of Citluk, one of the smallest in Bosnia with a population of about 18,000. Municipal workers said 2024 could be a record year as Christian pilgrims choose to avoid Israel over the war and opt for Medjugorje instead.
