I've noticed in a couple of parish newsletters around NZ this week, that a pilgrimage to Medjugorje with Bishop Denis Browne of Hamilton is being advertised. As far as I know, the Vatican ban on official pilgrimages to Medjugorje is still in place. Considering that this is being advertised in parish bulletins and a bishop is leading the pilgrimage, I'd say that would count as being official. Not a good look.
For more on Medjugorje, see Medjugorje, hit for six at last ~ NZ Conservative
For more on Medjugorje, see Medjugorje, hit for six at last ~ NZ Conservative
Are there links to advertisements, or PDF's of these bulletins?
ReplyDeleteYou and your readers may be interested in these two posts.
The first is a translation of a recent interview in Die Tagespost of Fr. Manfred Hauke, head of the Mariological Society of Germany, and professor of dogmatics and patristics. The professor takes a critical view of Medjugorje.
The second is a response by Father Hauke a few days after a transitional deacon from Cologne wrote a denunciation of the interivew. In it, he stated that Hauke spread "lies and half-truths", and at one point said that one thing in particular was an "offense to God".
Professor Hauke, who has post-doctoral credentials, responds to the deacon what it means to lie, and defines character assassination. He talks about the gravity of accusations made against him, before going back point-by-point to correct the junior theologian. Just the other day the deacon apologized for part of his interview (google-translated links within the post).
Although Medjugorje hasn't been officially recognized by the Church, from what I have read, JP II was well-disposed toward it. Both my parents have been there, as has my brother who is in the seminary. They only have positive things to say about it.
ReplyDeleteThey say you should judge a thing by it's fruit and there are many conversions taking place there. A guy I know received the gift of tongues while watching a documentary on Medjugorje.
So, although I do not know if a tour there should be officially endorsed and am not 'sold' on it 100% I can't see why this place might not one day be given the status of Lourdes or Fatima. Should not Our Lady be appearing somewhere now as she has done before at these other places?
As I said, I am keeping an open mind until the Church has officially made up it's mind (which i don't believe it has).
Hi Diane,
ReplyDeleteHere's St Patrick's Parish, Parish of St Peter Chanel and the Catholic Parish of Warkworth and Puhoi. All 3 newsletters look like they are not permanent and will be overwritten by next week's newsletter.
This one appears to be permanent: St Philomena's Parish.
There were only two that I could find yesterday, and now it's up to 4 when I do a Google search on "denis browne medjugorje".
Fletch,
ReplyDeleteAlthough Medjugorje hasn't been officially recognized by the Church, from what I have read, JP II was well-disposed toward it.
How do you know this is true?
Both my parents have been there, as has my brother who is in the seminary.
I know a number of people that have gone as well. Total believers. When I tell them that I think the whole think is false, they go a little crazy.
They say you should judge a thing by it's fruit
Yeah, and the reaction of those who have gone to unbelievers such as myself says it all.
and there are many conversions taking place there. A guy I know received the gift of tongues while watching a documentary on Medjugorje.
Real tongues or fake tongues? Apparently most tongues are fake and people just learn to babble. There are predictable sound combinations that humans make when babbling, and what most people think is tongues is generally predicable babbling sounds.
So, although I do not know if a tour there should be officially endorsed
It shouldn't be officially endorsed. Individuals can go, but official Church groups cannot.
and am not 'sold' on it 100%
It gives me the heebee jeebies.
I can't see why this place might not one day be given the status of Lourdes or Fatima.
Not going to happen. The disposition of those involved in the "apparitions" is so opposite to those of St Bernadette and the 3 children in Fatima, it's not funny.
Should not Our Lady be appearing somewhere now as she has done before at these other places?
Yes, she could quite possibly be doing so. But not like this. Medjugorje is a circus.
It's very easy to be taken in by the unnatural. It can feel great and inspire amazing things. In my New Age period, I went to a number of spiritual workshops that were very convincing and had very real effects. That's not enough for authenticity.
In Medjugorje's case, there is serious disobedience at work, which is major in indicating the whole thing is false at the very least.
The retired exorcist of Rome thinks that Medjugorje is diabolical in nature.