A MEETING of the expanded commission examining the events in the parish of Medjugorje; which was named by Bishop Pavao Zanic, was held on March 23 and 24 in the chancery of the diocese of Mostar. The diocesan bishop took part in the work of the commission on the first day.
Within the framework of their task the members visited Medjugorje on March 23 for the duration of the evening Mass and prayers.
The reason why more meetings of the commission have not occurred so far, was because the local bishop was looking for some new elements in the events occurring to six children who claim that Our Lady has been appearing to them for three years, such as: a termination of the apparitions or some new content in the apparitions.
Also, the Holy See suggested to the diocesan bishop that he should not hurry with the inquiry and resolution, because experience has shown that in similar cases elsewhere time helped foster prudent Judgement.
The events in the parish of Medjugorje have made a strong impact in our local Church and abroad. Hence, the Ordinary expanded the present fourmember commission by naming new members from every Catholic school of theology in Yugoslavia, who are specialists In various branches of theology. He also named representatives of the medical sciences.
On this two day rneeting, the members of the commission brought forth their views on the flow of events in the parish of Medjugorje up to date. They confirmed the main points for further inquiry, and they took on their personal obligations which each member must accomplish before the next meeting.
The commission was confronted with the problem of written and reproduced material in the country and abroad which does not deal critically enough about the events in Medjugorje. Particular attention was given to presumed miraculous healings of which the Ordinary in Mostar has not received any medical documentation.
In this context the book: Gospina ukazanja u Mecljugorju (Our Lady's apparitions in Medjugorje), was specially mentioned. The commission will thoroughly examine these questions for the duration of its work and therefore asks that nothing be written concerning these events in religious papers until a proper judgement has been passed, or in the case of something being written, that it
be written critically and cautiously.
Though we all enjoy our large religious manifestations, the commission does not approve of priests and lay people organizing pilgrimages to Medjugorje. The commission also disapproves of public appearances of the witnesses before the Church has passed judgement on the authenticity of the apparitions.
The commission would like to point out to priests and the laity the exemplary solution of the diocese of Zagreb's Chancery of January 14 1984 in which our Cardinal Franjo Kuharie forbids the public appearance of the witnesses in all the churches of the archdiocese of Zagreb until a judgement has been passed by the Church regarding these events.
The commission has requested in writing that all parish personnel and witnesses in Medjugorje do not give out any statements for the press regarding the content of the apparitions and presumed miraculous healings.
The commission is aware that young Christians who are having such experiences need the spiritual direction of their priests, but at the same time the commission expects the parish personnel in Medjugorje not to make any differences between the witnesses and the rest of the parishioners during liturgies and public devotions.
With the Hope that we are all striving for the common well being of the Church and the world, the commission asks the Catholic faithful to invoke God's help for their work, for the witnesses, and for the parish leaders in Medjugorje.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION: Mgr Pay80 ZaniC. diocesan bishop, Commission iiresdent. Or Ante Brink°, Vicar general, canon lawyer in ;he name of [he diocese of fdlostar, Mr Petar KrasIt NM, provincial vicar in the name of the Hercegov.na Franciscan orovince: Dr SteZko Badurine. OFM, professor ot moral theology in Rijeka: Dr Rudolf BrajalE. SJ, professor of dogmatical theology at the Jesuit school of theology in Zagreb. Mn NIkola MAK professor of dogmatical theology in Sold. Or Nikola Dogan. professor of fundamental theology in Diakovo. Dr Ivan Duganclii6, OFM. specialist el bibitcal studies and master of novices at Hume°. Dr Josip KrIbl, professca of philosophy at the Catholic theological faculty in Zagreb: Dr LIubo Lucia, OPM, professor of fundamental theology at the Franctscen school of theology in Sarajevo; Dr France Oraiern, professor of spiritual theology in Ljubljana. Dr Zalimir Pula. professor of psychology in Sarajevo: Or Sim* Samac. °FIN, professor 01 catechetics m Makarska, Or Maio Zovkif. prole:nor of accles*ology and New Testament studies in Sarajevo, one PsychologistPSVchiatriSt. a univetsity professor from Zagreb, and a group of physicians.