Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Diocese of Mostar-Duvno releases document: Spiritual Vocations of "Seers of Medjugorje"

I am providing a number of links to documents released by the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno in recent months (in Italian). It's probably safe to assume that the official langauge in use by the new commission on Medjugorje is Italian.

Richard Chonak has just translated from Italian into English, a document released on March 5, 2010 by the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno covering the spiritual vocations of each of the six Medjugorje "seers". It was published in the official Bulletin of the Dioceses of Mostar-Duvno and Trebinje-Mrkan, 1/2010, pp. 114-122, March 5, 2010 (PDF).  This document was prepared by the Curia of the diocese.

Like other documents released in recent months, the diocese makes use primarily of the chronicles and written works of the closest associates of the visionaries - the spiritual advisors. If there is any doubt who was playing the role of spiritual advisor, we have further proofs in this latest document that Vlasic and Barbaric were among them. 

Interestingly, like other recently released documents, an official translation in Italian was made on the diocesan site.  Of the many pieces of positive and negative criteria found in the 1978 Criteria for Discernment of Apparitions, behavior of associates is considered, in particular if they are connected with the events.

There are many conflicts and contradictions found in the lives of each of these people.  You may recall that when Tomislav Vlasic was sanctioned canonically in 2008 before his request was granted for laicization, one of the charges being investigated was "manipulation of consciences".  When I read this, manipulation of the visionaries by some of the spiritual advisors is seemingly apparent, especially in the case of Jakov who was the youngest.  However, in his case, it was the handy work of Fra Slavko Barbaric, OFM who died in Medjugorje amidst an act of disobedience.  In light of what is revealed in this latest document, there is little doubt that, Barbaric, like Vlasic and Fra Jozo Zovko, OFM (now living in Austria as his case is studied), would have also had his day under canonical spot-light had he survived. 

Go read: Six Medjugorje seers, no religious vocations at Catholic Light.

Other documents released in recent months in Italian:

In the Context of the Phenomenon of Medjugorje

The "Great Sign"
Deviations (Doctrinal and Theological Questions)


In various websites and forums we find jubilation over the fact that the local bishop, Msgr. Ratko Peric, is missing from the list of commission members. We should also note the absence of any representative of the Herzegovina Province of Franciscans, as well. The commission is a serious body of people who will not be limiting themselves to the "good fruits" of Medjugorje.

We have to wonder, will the commission be studying these documents provided by the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno in Italian in the months leading up to the new commission? For those who believe the answer to that question is "yes", then it may be of interest to read some of of what the commission is likely reading.


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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!