Agnes rose, the visionaries asked the Virgin of Medjugorje in October of 1981 about ecumenism. She replied that "Members of all faiths are equal before God. God rules over each faith just like a sovereign over his kingdom. In the world, all religions are not the same because all people have not complied with the commandments of God. They reject and disparage them." Then the Virgin explained that it is not equally efficacious to belong to or pray in any church of community, because the Holy Spirit grants His power differently among the churches and ministers. All believers do not pray the same way. It is intentional that all apparitions are under the auspices of the Catholic Church. Also there is a Church document called Lumen Gentium promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1964 which explains ecumenism in Chapter 2 part 16 16. Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God.(18*) In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh.(125) On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues.(126) But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Muslims, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things,(127) and as Saviour wills that all men be saved.(128) Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.(19*) Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel.(20*) She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life. But often men, deceived by the Evil One, have become vain in their reasonings and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator.(129) Or some there are who, living and dying in this world without God, are exposed to final despair. Wherefore to promote the glory of God and procure the salvation of all of these, and mindful of the command of the Lord, "Preach the Gospel to every creature",(130) the Church fosters the missions with care and attention. I pray for members of Mother of God forum every day and will offer my fast today for each person's intentions.
Excellent Brian. Thankyou. Patience and charity and humility never go amiss at any time. And Satan wishes to divide. A disputatious spirit prowls about seeking victims. We musnt feed the beast. A Rosary is an excellent idea.
Thank u for your prayers . my prayers for all in the group. I have studied Medjugorge since it all began. We are all free to believe what we feel in our hearts and i do not believe in this at all. God bless!!
Just to mention something from your post, Agnes rose, Fr. Jozo is a priest in good standing. He was imprisoned by the authorities in former Yugoslavia for about 2 years because he was the pastor of St. James at the time of the beginning of the apparitions. You may have mixed him up with Fr. Tomislav Vlasic, who has been laicized. May God bless you!
father jozo has lost his faculties as a priest (suspended since 2004) yet he continues to hear confessions and take part in saying Mass. I have tried to copy and paste the articles but my phone is not allowing me to. If you inquire with the Bishops office in writing they will reply on it. Mystic post is not telling the truth on this.
From what I have read about him, Fr. Jozo is still a Franciscan priest although it's hard to figure out where he can function as a priest (offer Mass in public, hear Confessions, etc.) without the approval of the Bishop of Mostar. Perhaps the Bishop's jurisdiction only applies to his own diocese? Perhaps the current Bishop has lifted the suspension? Hard to find any impartial source with an answer to those questions.
http://medjugorjedocuments.blogspot.com/2010/02/ecclesial-disciplinary-actions-against.html https://newera.news/medjugorje-part-5-of-5-spiritual-guides-disobedient-excommunicated-unchaste/
Pope dismisses Medjugorje priest 31 Jul 2009 by Robert Hiini In what will almost certainly be taken as a blow by those who believe Mary is appearing at Medjugorje, Pope Benedict has laicised a controversial priest. Fr Vlasic with Medjugorje seer Marija, in the mid-1980s. By Anthony Barich Pope Benedict XVI has ordered that a former spiritual director to the ‘visionaries’ in Medjugorje be dismissed from the priesthood and the Franciscan Order, under pain of excommunication. The Pope has ordered that Franciscan Fr Tomislav VlašiÄ, of the Province of Friars Minor of St Bernardino of Siena, is “absolutely prohibited” to exercise any form of apostolate, including releasing declarations on religious matters, “especially regarding the ‘phenomenon of Medjugorje’.” If he disobeys this order, he can be excommunicated without prior canonical warning, Italian newspaper La Stampa reported. He is also prohibited from staying in Franciscan monasteries and from exercising any form of apostolate like promoting public or private devotion, teaching Christian doctrine, spiritual direction, participation in lay associations; as well as of acquiring and administering goods intended for pious purposes. Archbishop Angelo Amato, Secretary for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued the decree on July 8. The Archbishop stated in the decree that Fr VlašiÄ was suspected of "heresy and schism" and was accused of "spreading questionable doctrines, manipulation of consciences, suspect mysticism, disobedience to legitimate orders and violations contra sextum (against the sixth commandment). This last accusation relates to an event in 1976, prior to the alleged apparitions at Medjugorje. Fr VlašiÄ, a central figure in promoting the apparitions at the unofficial shrine in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzogovina, was severely cautioned last year after investigations stemming from revelations that he had fathered a child with a nun in 1976. The British journal The Spectator reported on October 4, 2008 that Fr VlašiÄ persuaded the nun to move away to Germany. The woman, who hoped he would honour his promise to marry her, then wrote him increasingly anxious letters saying she was so miserable she prayed she would die in childbirth. Some of these letters fell into the hands of the woman’s landlord, who forwarded copies of them to a friend in the Vatican. Fr José Rodriguez Carballo, OFM, Minister General of the global Order of Friars Minor, related news of Pope Benedict XVI’s order to all his Provincials in Italy, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina who then forwarded it to the Guardians in each province, who have in turn sent it on to all the daughter houses in their respective provinces. In a May 30 letter to Bishop Ratko PeriÄ of Mostar-Duvno, whose diocese covers Medjugorje, Archbishop Amato said: “Confirmed reports presented to this Congregation reveal that the Religious in question has not conformed in his words, even partially, to the ecclesiastical obedience called for in the delicate situation he faces.” Last year Fr VlašiÄ became the second spiritual adviser to the Medjugorje visionaries to be suspended from his ministry, and was confined to a Franciscan monastery. Bishop Peric confirmed the suspension of the priestly faculties of the other priest, Fr Jozo Zovko, in 2004. The ‘phenomenon of Medjugorje’ that Archbishop Amato referred to began on June 25, 1981, when six children told a priest they had seen Mary on a hillside near the town. Since then, Mary is claimed to have appeared to the six over 40,000 times and imparted hundreds of messages. Three Church commissions failed to find evidence to support their claims and the bishops of the former Yugoslavia declared in 1991 that “it cannot be affirmed that these matters concern supernatural apparitions or revelations”. In 1985, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as Prefect of the doctrinal congregation before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, banned official, diocesan or parish-sponsored pilgrimages to the shrine, but individual Catholics have still been free to visit and have a priest with them. Over 30 million pilgrims have visited Medjugorje, including many from Western Australia. 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According to this travel website, "Fr. Jozo Zovko" was the "Spiritual Leader and Guide" on their "Spiritual Retreat" to "Badija Island, Croatia & Pilgrimage to Medjugorje" during May, June, July of this year. https://pilgrimages.com/spiritdaily/frjozo/#daybyday From a quick read of the itinerary, it looks like Fr. Zovko's participation was on the island. If so, that would tie in with reports that he had been sent to a monastery far from Medjugorje. It looks like he's still a priest but can't officiate at ceremonies or hear Confession other than on the island. That's just guesswork on my part based on what I have read. The website doesn't say who celebrates the Mass on the island and there's no mention of Confessions in the itinerary. The celebrant could be another Franciscan. I don't believe that Our Lady appeared in Medjugorje but it looks to me like Fr. Jozo is still a priest.
I am just curious, but I would like your opinion on the main reasons why the Medjugorje apparitions are so upsetting to you, and I mean you in the plural for those who are against it. There is an enormous amount of good that is taking place there....1. priestly vocations renewed and initiated 2. people confess their sins who haven't in a long time, 3. some healings have taken place there emotional, spiritual, and physical and some deliverances have too. Things are better there than ever with Archbishop Hoser being appointed as an Apostolic visitor to help tend to the spiritual needs of the pilgrims. If you want the Catholic Church to carry on, why is this place with all the wonderful devotions that are central to our faith taking place, why does it cause such negative reaction in you ?
That is the one i was trying to upload .the one i shared only had one line about father jozo. Why isnt the Medugorje community being honest about it. Thats what bothers me.
http://www.medjugorjeusa.org/jozosabbatical.htm Father Jozo to Return From a Long Sabbatical By Michael K. Jones Father Jozo was the parish priest of Medjugorje at the time the visions began in June of 1981. At first he did not believe but later he became a crusader for the events taking place. This resulted in his imprisonment for about 1 1/2 years, which has cause him physical harm which he suffers from his imprisonment till this day. After years of greeting pilgrims and talking about the apparitions in Medjugorje, exhausted Fr. Jozo went on Sabbatical for three year in Austria. Recent news media reports in December 2011 (Croatian Times) claim that Fr. Jozo will return to his home Franciscan monastery in Zagreb very soon. Father will no longer speak about Medjugorje to pilgrims while the 4th Medjugorje Commission is investigating the apparitions. The 4th Medjugorje Commission was formed in March 2011, after the failure of 3 previous Commissions. See official announcement of Fr. Jozo's sabbatical, below Medunarodno Kumstvo Djetetu Herceg-Bosne International in Bosnia i Hercegovina sent out official notice on February 9, 2009, which stated, With this notice we desire to inform you that due to health reasons, the need for rest and recuperation, and due to the commencement of construction on Badija, Fr. Jozo Zovko asked his superiors for permission to reside outside of the Province. The Province Board approved this request. For this reason, we are canceling all programs planned for the ensuring year. We kindly ask all of our co-ordinators and co-workers, organizers of pilgrimages to Medjugorje, organizers of prayer meetings and seminars, and all Medjugorje Centers and pilgrims to respect this and not to plan or ask for meeting with Fr. Jozo during this time. We thank you for your understanding and united in prayer we remain yours truly in Christ. Signed Vesna Cuzic On behalf of Fr. Jozo Zovko The website Brian linked to seems to be full of political propaganda and is tarnishing a priest's good name.
I’m certainly not upset or “negative, just objective. Supporters of Medjugorge refuse to acknowledge or explain these elements: http://medjugorjedocuments.blogspot.com/2010/02/ecclesial-disciplinary-actions-against.html https://newera.news/medjugorje-part-5-of-5-spiritual-guides-disobedient-excommunicated-unchaste From all the investigation I’ve done, it’s simply a money making endeavor.
The author Dr David Arzak (New Era News) is not a fan of 1Peter5 either -- says they are doing the work of the devil!! POPE FRANCIS IS BEING FALSELY ACCUSED once again. On August 2, 2018, the pope announced a revision to the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the death penalty. Detractors are wrongly claiming that the pope declared the death penalty has ceased to be a valid moral option. Rather, many report, that Francis stated that the death penalty is “intrinsically evil” and anyone employing it NOW is involved in a sinful act. Life Site News, 1 Peter Five, the Lepanto Institute and other “Catholic News Agencies” continue to paint Pope Francis as a sinister or weak-minded pretender, an “Antipope” who confuses issues thereby introducing moral error and step-by-step leading the Church into apostasy. But do not worry they assure us, there is a “Papal Posse” (led by EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo, the self-appointed sheriff) out to round him up and bring him to trial before he can do any more damage. The Church does not need supposed Catholic News Agencies to identify the pope’s theological errors because the pope is not guilty of any theological errors. In fact, if such news agencies continue acting as papal judges, they might risk bringing condemnation upon their own heads. They act as though they alone are capable of guiding the flock because they alone are able to “see.” It would be better for them if they were blind. Then they would at least have a valid excuse, but they claim to see – therefore their guilt remains. The Lord refers to such men as “blind guides” (Matt 23:24) and cautions his humble followers, those who hear His voice (John 10:26-27), to ignore false shepherds who are consciously or unconsciously doing the work of their father, the devil. No, it is not the pope who is a wolf in sheep’s clothing; it is not the pope who is introducing confusion by twisting texts, employing subtle vocabulary, introducing foreign teachings; it is not the pope who is stealthily misrepresenting the magisterium. NO, IT IS NOT THE POPE THAT EMPLOYS THESE METHODS BUT THE ANTI-PAPAL FAKE NEWS MEDIA THAT EMPLOYS THEM TO MISLEAD THEIR UNSUSPECTING “SHEEPLE.” Those eager to trip the pope up either are unaware of, ignore, or overlook their own errors and then in the name of truth, zealously foist error on their readers, such as the errors introduced recently by Life Site News, One Peter Five, Professor Robert de Mattei of Lepanto Institute (cited by the Remnant) and Dr. Edward Feser: In short, the pope is not a schoolboy to be spanked by a group of neophyte philosophers. Francis is a well seasoned priest, a man who both knows the principles and has the experience necessary to apply them correctly in widely varying circumstances and in an environment such as the present one, an especial time of supernatural grace in which the King of Kings has pronounced His desire for an Hour of Mercy, an Hour of Mercy before the dread hour of vindictive justice from which no man can escape. Just about everything that Francis speaks of must be interpreted within the context of Mercy. https://newera.news/pope-francis-co...ty-of-death-penalty-in-context-of-the-gospel/
According to this report, we have to contact the Office of the Bishop of Mostar to get the suspension documents to read through them. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict would have said something about Father Jozo being suspended in the Commission report, but they didn't because Father Jozo was not ever suspended. Also, here is a picture of Bishop Peric with the visionary, Vicka, taken this year. They do not look like enemies to me.
