#BreakingNews Vatican Commission sees Medjugorje Apparitions as Possibly Supernatural - awaiting decision by Pope Francis


According to the Vatican Insider the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith discussed the phenomenon and had  Thirteen votes in favor of recognizing the supernatural nature of the first seven appearances in Medjugorje, one vote against and one “suspensive” ballot.  The apparitions began at the end of 1981 and continue to today. The commission on Medjugorje was established in 2010 by Benedict XVI and chaired by Cardinal Camillo Ruini. Pope Francis mentioned this report in the press conference on the return flight from Fatima, saying, “A commission of good theologians, bishops, cardinals. Good, good, good. The Ruini report is very, very good. It is well known that the signal emerged from the Pontiff’s words is positive about the spiritual fruits and the conversions (”people who go there and convert, people who meet God, who change life”), but is negative with regard to the current apparitions “I prefer Our Lady Mother, and not the head of the telegraphic office, who sends a message every day”. Cardinals Jozef Tomko, Vinko Puljić, Josip Bozanić, Julián Herranz and Angelo Amato took part in the commission. The psychologist Tony Anatrella, the theologians Pierangelo Sequeri, Franjo Topić, Mihály Szentmártoni and Nela Gašpar, the Mariologist Salvatore Perrella, the anthropologist Achim Schütz, the canonist David Jaeger, the speaker of the causes of the saints Zdzisław Józef Kijas, the psychologist Mijo Nikić and the official of the Doctrine of the Faith Krzysztof Nykiel. They helped to “collect and examine all the material” about Medjugorje and to present “a detailed report” followed by a vote on the “supernatural nature or not” of the apparitions as well as the most appropriate “pastoral solutions”.  The commission heard all the seers and witnesses involved. There were positive findings on First Appearances the first seven presumed appearances between June 24 and July 3, 1981. Members and experts came out with 13 votes in favor of recognizing the supernatural nature of the first visions. The commission also rejected the hypothesis of a demonic origin of the apparitions. 
 In 2016 a “Feria IV”, the monthly meeting of Dicastry members, was summoned to discuss the Medjugorje case and the Ruini report. Francis’ decision After examining the Ruini report and the opinions of the members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pope decided to entrust to the Polish Archbishop Henryk Hoser a “special mission of the Holy See” to “acquire more in-depth knowledge of the pastoral situation “In Medjugorje, and “above all, the needs of the faithful who come to pilgrimage” to “suggest any pastoral initiatives for the future.” By summer 2017 the Polish Archbishop will deliver the results of his work with which the Pope will make a decision.
Edited from the Vatican Insider

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