The articles at present are :-
STATEMENT OF APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MEDJUGORJE
date: 20.03.2010.
Archbishop Allessandro D'Errico, Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, gave statement about Medjugorje on March 18th at the end of 48th Bishop's Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the statement broadcasted by Radio Mir Medjugorje, he amongst other things said: "Whenever I would meet Holy Father, he was always very much interested in Medjugorje. He was involved in everything, starting with the time when he was Head of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He is aware that this is the issue of special importance, and he, as supreme authority of the Church, needs to give his precise statement about that matter. Holy Father is very much familiar with Medjugorje phenomenon; he even mentioned that to me personally. He is aware of huge amount of positive and good influence of local priests, religious, Franciscans, lay people, and therefore, it is very difficult for him to perceive that there can be so many opposing information about the same matter.
That is why he wanted to establish this Commission that is on really high level. He wanted to establish this Commission in order for him to have broad picture about this matter, but according to the people who have highest qualities and skills. That is why he invited Cardinals, Bishops and experts from different parts of the world to be part of this Commission.
On March 17th it was officially announced that Chairman of this Commission is going to be Cardinal Ruini, very prestigious cardinal, who has great qualities, and also close associate to Holy Father, and his friend not only in this period while he is the pope. Cardinal Ruini is very much familiar with situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; he especially knows the situation from the war period, when he used to be President of Bishop's Conference of Italy. At that time, he brought decision that Italian Church and Bishop's Conference of Italy become more involved in helping to all wounded nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What is especially interesting, and shows Holy Father's great sympathy for this country, is that he wanted this information about Commission to be announced publicly at the same time, both in Vatican as well as in Mostar, since Medjugorje is in territory of Mostar Diocese. I know well that media spoke a lot about this Commission for a longer period of time, and certain expectations were made. Today, we can say that we are pleased and grateful to Holy Father for this attention that he expressed towards Mostar and our Catholic communities. That is how I, on behalf of Holy Father, announced this decision on March 17th, at the same time when decision was announced in Rome. We understand that work of this Commission is going to be very demanding, and I would like to invite all of our communities to pray and to offer work of this Commission to St. Joseph and to Mary, Mother of Church, patron saints of Mostar.
Possible members of the new Commission
Andrea Tornielli of the Italian daily Il Giornale has reported the names of some members of the International Commission to study Medjugorje announced yesterday.
He lists cardinal Vinko Puljic, archbishop of Sarajevo; Josip Bozanic, archbishop of Zagreb; cardinal Julian Herranz, a former president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts; and bishop Tony Anatrella, a French Jesuit and specialist in psychiatry, as among those joining experts in Mariology and laity that make up the twenty people chosen for the commission directed by cardinal Ruini.
Tornielli also states that Ratko Peric, the current bishop of the Mostar-Duvno diocese in which Medjugorje situated, is not one of the members of the commission.
A new Diocese for Medjugorje ?
Reports of a possible new diocese being formed to accommodate Medjugorje appeared in the Croatian press almost two weeks ago . Now the Italian journalist and author Andrea Tornielli has also reported on this possibility, as the Catholic News Agency states today:
Rome, Italy, Mar 22, 2010 / 04:52 pm (CNA).- Following last week's announcement that a commission is being formed to investigate possible Marian apparitions at Medjugorje, a typically well-informed Vatican journalist has reported that a new diocese could be formed in the area to include the Bosnian [and Herzegovina] city [village]. Taking territory currently under the jurisdiction of three other dioceses, including Mostar, where Medjugorje is located, the diocese would "permit a better administration of the flow of pilgrims."
The veteran Vatican writer Andrea Tornielli reported in the Saturday edition of Il Giornale, an Italian newspaper, of the renewed possibility of the erection of a diocese that would make Medjugorje independent from the Diocese of Mostar, which is run by Bishop Ratko Peric. He has been vocal in his scepticism of the authenticity of the apparitions.
Tornielli wrote that the decision to create the new diocese, with a possible see in Makarska, was nearly made last September, but was put off in part by the opposition of Bishop Peric.
The new diocese would be created from territory currently falling within the dioceses of Dubrovnik, Mostar and Spalato.
Regarding the commission created by the Vatican to investigate the Medjugorje "phenomena" under presidency of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Tornielli has reported that other members include Cardinal Archbishop of Sarajevo Vinko Pulijc, Archbishop Josip Bozanic of Zagreb and Cardinal Julián Herranz, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts.
Tornielli also mentioned that others expected to sit on the commission are Archbishop Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints; Jesuit Father Tony Anatrella, a psychologist, and other experts in "Mariology." According to his estimation, lay people will also be included in the approximately 20 person commission.
The reporter from Il Giornale wrote that it should be expected that the process of the commission will be slow and its results will not be a statement on the "supernatural nature" of the events, but rather a clearer picture of the "suspended" judgment by Yugoslav bishops after investigations on the matter 20 years ago.
The commission will make sure that there are no "scams, tricks, or diabolical facts" involved and could in addition provide "clear, precise and authoritative directions for pilgrims."
Tornielli noted that the Holy See has never pronounced a judgement on a case of apparitions that are still in progress.
• The Makarska mentioned in this report is based in Croatia and was refuge for many families during the Bosnian War. It is also a popular stop-off point for pilgrims making their way to and from Medjugorje as it is the location of a replica shrine of Lourdes known as "Little Lourdes".
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