RE Medjugorje, “Bishop cautions on apparitions” (CL 11/10/9).
At Fatima 75,000 people saw miraculous solar phenomena, but the official Church waited 13 years before acknowledging it.
We do not expect the Church to react like that, because many objections would have to be dealt with.
But the extended time taken and the prior negative, official attitude tells us that it is not simply a question of “is this true or false”?
People have agendas in matters of high impact.
Bishop Peric (CL 11/10/9) tells the young people whom he confirms: “Brothers and sisters, let us not act as if these ‘apparitions’ were recognised and worthy of faith.”
The truth or falsity of a miraculous sign is in its happening (or not), at a given time and place. It is not in a subsequent recognition of that happening (or not), by an official body.
If people experience miraculous phenomena, which supports an apparition and its message, then they are obliged to accept what their eyes tell them.
Otherwise they are in the same position as the Jews referred to in Psalm 95:8,9: “Do not harden your hearts as … your fathers (who) tested me even though they saw my work.”
Further we see Jesus’ displeasure at unbelievers, where He says: “Woe to you Chorazin … (and) Bethsaida for if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented … and as for you Capernaum (woe) … for if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would be standing still.”
Bishop Peric shows adamant opposition to Medjugorje, he is not merely cautious.
J.K. CREEVEY
Springwood, Qld
