Vatican denounces group’s claim of seeing the Virgin Mary more than 40,000 times as ‘work of the devil’
The Vatican has denounced a group who claim to have seen the Virgin Mary more than 40,000 times in the past 27 years.
The six Bosnian ’seers’ attract five million pilgrims a year to their home town of Medjugorje, providing a lucrative trade for local businesses.
Hundreds of thousands travel there each year from Britain alone.
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The Vatican has rejected claims made by the six Bosnian ’seers’ that they have seen the Virgin Mary more than 40,000 times over the past 27 years
But now one of the most respected voices in the Roman Catholic church has accused the visionaries of perpetuating a ‘diabolical deceit’.
Andrea Gemma, 77, a bishop and once the Vatican’s top exorcist, told a magazine in Italy: ‘In Medjugorje everything happens in function of money: Pilgrimages, lodging houses, sale of trinkets.
‘This whole sham is the work of the Devil. It is a scandal.’ He said the Vatican would soon crack down on the group.
The Medjugorje phenomenon began on June 25, 1981, when six children told a priest they had seen the Virgin on a hillside near their town.
A church investigation dismissed the vision, and the Vatican banned pilgrimages to the site in 1985. But many Catholics ignored the ban.
Today, the seers own smart houses with security gates and tennis courts and expensive cars. One is married to a former U.S. beauty queen.
Catholic officials in the U.S. have recently banned the group from speaking on church property during their world tours, on which they allegedly take the Virgin with them
Also the following quote was attributed to Bishop Gemma “You’ll see that soon the Vatican will intervene with something explosive to unmask once and for all who is behind this deceit,” the 77-year-old bishop told Petrus, an online Italian Catholic journal.
Dear St Joan Of Arc Pray For Us.
This is the last portrait of the Madonna and Child acomplished by Bellini. This subject was his particular favourite as can be seen in the tenderness apparent from the painting.
36 responses so far ↓
lwestin // June 6, 2008 at 11:07 pm |
Could be that the ‘Daily Mail Reporter’ is not the best source for Catholic, or religion stories.The Vatican hasn’t.
Duffy // June 7, 2008 at 8:02 am |
The Daily Mail is repeating a report from an Italian magasine.
The Catholic Herald also carries the same story, alsong with other numerous publications by now.
Bishop Gemma is the person who makes the statements not the Daily Mail.
I do feel sorry for those who have been taken in by Medjugorie. But the truth is always better than lies.
It has been painfull for many of us who have seen that M is a lie to see others going there and believeing the false messages of ecumism etc.
eusebio (Roma) // June 23, 2008 at 7:30 pm |
I would like to know the name of the Italian magazine. Please.
admin // June 23, 2008 at 8:33 pm |
Yes, The Italian Magazine is called Petrus. Here is a link to the original article and interview with Bishop Gemma:
http://www.papanews.it/dettaglio_interviste.asp?IdNews=7499
also here is another interesting book on the subject which is available on line:
http://www.mdaviesonmedj.com/
Vicky Garcia // July 20, 2008 at 7:20 pm |
Could it also be that maybe the Bishop Gemma has been also working or talking thru the devil because he could also maybe accused of working with the devil for doing exorcisms? Someone could also say he himself now be working for the devil due to some of his exorcisms. Yes evil is a very bad thing and perhaps some of the seers as y0u say could now be consumed by material things but when they were young they only told what really happened. That medjugorie is now selling trinkets and a booming tourist attraction persay that is not the fault of people who really believed in what was happening then and what has happened a month ago. It is a shame that someone should make a good thing now a bad thing. I have been there and I know what I saw.
I have faith that Mary and God will prevail in the end. There have been a lot of converters because of this. And I do not think that God would let this happen if this were not true.
KLadika // July 25, 2008 at 9:46 pm |
I agree with Ms. Garcia that Bishop Gemma may be afflicted with a demon. He does not speak as a man under the one of the highest levels of “holiness” in an instituion specifically built on faith and GOD. It appears that the voice of freemasonry is hard at work within the Vatican. Would Bishop Gemma still denounce this mircale if Pope Paul II were alive today? Bishop Gemma needs a personal pilgrimage to Medjugorie post haste. It seems his soul needs some saving…….
Pauline // July 30, 2008 at 4:01 pm |
Am I to believe that the Vatican has no gift shop? This from one of the richest organizations in the world? Something wrong with this picture.
admin // July 30, 2008 at 6:25 pm |
Firstly, no one is under any obligation to believe in any personal revelation. It is not an article of Faith which one must accept.
Secondly the proper procedure applied to all apparitions, La Salette, Fatima, Lourdes, Quito, Akita etc. etc. was applied to Medjugorie and TWO Bishops of the area ordered the faithfull NOT to attend.
It seems that those who go to Medjugorie are not interested in anything else and would rather believe that all those who question what they see are mad or even worse possessed!
It is a terible calumny to make the comments that have been made against Bishop Gemma. What evidence is there of these allegations?
Finally can any of those who support Medjugorie
explain what was meant when the apparition turned into a wolf at the begining of the Medjugorie phenomenon?
kevintracy // August 4, 2008 at 6:45 pm |
I was shocked to see the comments accusing Bishop Gemma of being possessed. It was like reading cult propaganda more than something from people who claim to have had some sort of meaningful spiritual revelation.
The Catholic Church is trying to prevent the faithful from making a mistake and being sucked into this trap. Even if they were wrong (and they’re not) , they have the best of intentions.
As far as I can tell, what’s happening at Medjugorie is an abomination.
Rene // August 6, 2008 at 6:25 am |
I first went to med in 1981,and i met the gypsys working the people. In private “They” were laughing at the pilgrims taking in all their lies.Because these poor pilgrims believed that our Lady was really appearing there. Things happened there that I dont have space here to write about it All I can say about the gypsys of Med is that everything they do is strictly for money. there is only one “M” they are seeing,and it does’nt stand for “Mary” These criminals should have been locked up years ago and made to pay back all the money to the poor people they robbed. it’s a very sad joke. this has been allowed to go on for far too long.and the Catholic Church has not prospered from it either. Time to close this disgusting buisiness down.
rose // August 14, 2008 at 3:28 am |
You need to be careful of what you say. Medjugore has failed three church commissions and the seers have supposely been recorded conterdicting themselves on tape and there have been scandals in the past with this group that most people are unaware of. By the way conversions happen in every church. Every church is holy ground if you have faith.
JJOCONO // August 20, 2008 at 4:24 pm |
Been there 7 times since 2005. A few questions as food for thought re Medj.I meet many pilgrims on repeat visits.1. Why do we keep coming back to feel the Peace which is in that place? The demon does Not bring Peace!
2. Why do people who visit there return to confession and the sacraments ?
3. Why did so many young men recieve the call to the priesthood while there?
4. Where is the evidence that the seers contradict each other,?
I have heard 5 of them speak with such conviction about their experiences and 27 years on they are still asking us to return to God through the Mother, to pray the Rosary, Go to Mass, Confession and Holy Communion. This is what God wants and He has sent Mary, the woman clothed with the sun , to help us on the road back to Peace. – she appears in a heavenly light, crowned with twelve stars-
All the apparitions down through the ages were queried even Lourdes and Fatima and La Salette.
JJOCONO // August 20, 2008 at 4:33 pm |
Also Why do so many people get miracle photos and other gifts while there?
I wecome any comments on the above
John Hoober // August 23, 2008 at 9:58 pm |
Is it not possible that the devil is persuading the Vatican itself into denouncing Medjugorie? I agree with the above person. Many have been converted, and many unexplainable things have happened. I too know that the Heavenly Father, His Son, and of course Mary will prevail.
admin // August 24, 2008 at 12:05 am |
For information on why many of us dont accept Medjugorie you could see:
http://www.mdaviesonmedj.com/
admin // August 25, 2008 at 9:19 am |
See in particular this paert of an interview in the above link:
Cnak: Some newspapers have written that this Pope visited Medjugorje incognito while he was a Cardinal and that he is preparing to recognize Medjugorje as a shrine, etc. Did you touch upon this topic?
We did and I wrote to and spoke with the Holy Father on it. He only laughed surprisingly. Regarding the events of Medjugorje our position is well known: not a single proof exists that these events concern supernatural apparitions and revelations. Therefore from the Church’s perspective no pilgrimages are allowed which would attribute any authenticity to these alleged apparitions. The Holy Father told me: we at the Congregation always asked ourselves how can any believer accept as authentic, apparitions that occur every day and for so many years? Are they still occurring every day? I responded: Every day, Holy Father, to one of them in Boston, to another near Milano and still another in Krehin Gradac ( Herzegovina), and everything is done under the protocol of “apparitions of Medjugorje”. Up till now there have been about 35,000 “apparitions” and there is no end in sight!
The Pope then continued: the previous Bishops’ Conference of the former Yugoslavia issued a statement of “non constat de supernaturalitate” (though the BCY did not use this specific formula, still the phrase “According to investigations made thus far, it cannot be affirmed that these events concern supernatural apparitions or revelations”, corresponds to the traditional formula in these matters). Has the current Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia-Herzegovina or the Croatian Bishops’ Conference reconfirmed the previous declaration?
I replied: There has been no joint reconfirmation, but each individual bishop when speaking on this issue refers to the Declaration. I added that I was sent to Mostar in 1992 and that I have been following the events from the beginning and that from the last declaration of the Bishops in 1991 up till now, nothing significant has changed, nothing new has happened, nor have any new elements occurred which would change the meaning of the events. In my opinion, from the numerous local facts, it is evident that these events can be defined not only by “non constat de supernaturalitate” ie: it is not certain that these events concern supernatural apparitions, but also by “constat de non supernaturalitate” ie: it is certain that these events do not concern supernatural apparitions. The numerous absurd messages, insincerities, falsehoods and disobedience associated with the events and “apparitions” of Medjugorje from the very outset, all disprove any claims of authenticity. Much pressure through appeals has been made to force the recognition of the authenticity of private revelations, yet not through convincing arguments based upon the truth, but through the self-praise of personal conversions and by statements such as one “feels good”. How can this ever be taken as proof of the authenticity of apparitions?
Finally the Holy Father said: we at the Congregation felt that priests should be of service to those faithful who seek Confession and Holy Communion, “leaving out the question of the authenticity of the apparitions”.
At the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, they are particularly concerned about the schism in our local Church. A local group of ex-Franciscans are presenting themselves as true Franciscans, misleading the faithful, instructing them in an un-ecclesiastical spirit, invalidly offering them the sacraments, and destroying the unity of teaching, sacraments and governance. And all of this serves towards a struggle for their own rights against the generally acclaimed rights of the Church. It was suggested at the Congregation that the local bishop follow the events in Medjugorje and send in reports on occasion as has been done thus far. From my encounter, I had the impression that these “private apparitions” are considered a truly private matter and private business to merit greater consideration on the part of the Holy See, as desired by the persistent petitioners and sensational journalists.
Carol Rambousek // September 20, 2008 at 3:09 pm |
I have not been but wish I could go. The messages are not from the devil I can assure anyone at the Vatican. Pope John Paul acknowledged the visionaries. All the people who come back from there are so spirit filled and on fire to do the Lord’s work. I believe the Vatican should look around…the world needs the messages of prayer, fasting, reconciliation, PEACE, etc…The priests and bishops who have gone come back so filled to find the path to holiness. I think the Vatican needs to take a look especially in the USA. The churches are empty and so are the confessionals. I have seen the two of the visionaries here in the USA. They only talk of the Blessed Mother calling for us to return to love her Son.
Also, Bishop Gemma, needs to look around Italy are the people listening to the Vatican???? I want to always respect the Vatican and what it teaches, but do not shut the door on such a beautiful message. The reason the Blessed Mother always goes to poor children is because they are open, listen and act on her work.
The financial prosperty at the site has come from the Blessed Mother to assist with all the people coming there and to meet their needs. One might notice that many are non-catholics. Denouncing the work will just draw more people. I was always asked, “How can you tell someone walks in the Spirit of the Lord?” By the fruits they exhibit i would answer. The fruits around the visionaries are wonderful to behold. The fruits of their work in the people are wonderful to behold. I will pray feverishly for the Vatican if it truly cannot recognize the work of the Blessed Mother.
admin // September 21, 2008 at 3:10 pm |
Carol, you say
“The messages are not from the devil I can assure anyone at the Vatican”
how do you know? Are you an exorcist?
Have you read the post above your entry at all?
Also, if all the Fransciscan priests who are assisting at Medjugorje are invalidly offering the sacraments, as they have been restricted by their own orders, what is really happening at Medj, only sacralige on a huge scale?
Also can those who follow Medj explain how it fits in with Fatima, Quito, La Sallette, Akita (1973), Lois, Garabandal (1960’s) and Lourdes, all accepted Supernatural apparitions coming from Our Lady? All giving the same message:
COVERSION to the CATHOLIC FAITH, the Rosary, penance or a GREAT CHASTISEMENT and many souls LOST to HELL.
anna // September 23, 2008 at 3:34 am |
I have read everything and I believe admin is an instigator with only evil in his mind. I have been to Medjugorie the Franciscan priests there have been the most wonderful faithful priests that have saved a lot of souls. I agree with what Carol R. says.
Pope John Paul II believed in Medjugorie.
God bless you.
admin // September 24, 2008 at 2:27 pm |
I was going to delate Anna’s comment as not only is it rude but is also a calumny. However, I have decided to let it stand as I think it is indicative of the way that people who go to Medj end up.
I note that none of those who defend Megj can answer any of the reasonable queries posed by myself, less so those posed by the Bishop above or Michael Davis’ book.
I repeat:
“Also can those who follow Medj explain how it fits in with Fatima, Quito, La Sallette, Akita (1973), Lois, Garabandal (1960’s) and Lourdes, all accepted Supernatural apparitions coming from Our Lady? All giving the same message:
COVERSION to the CATHOLIC FAITH, the Rosary, penance or a GREAT CHASTISEMENT and many souls LOST to HELL.”
shirley beyer // October 27, 2008 at 4:06 pm |
I don’t know much, of Medjugorie, but i would
think, this would be a great insult, and so be it.
The Vatican still have’nt “Consecrated Russia to
The Immaculate Heart Of The Blessed Virgin
Mary”. Many Souls are being lost, because The
Vatican did’nt heed to these messages, of Fatima,
Portugal. Now which is worse? to not listen, to Heaven, and or to denounce Medjugorie.
Frances GGomez // November 3, 2008 at 2:14 am |
Why do all Medjugorie believers get upset ahen they are tod the truth? The Franciscans can be as nice as can be but the fact that they area disobedient to Rome is quite true and has been in the local news a few times even before the so called apparitioms. The contradictions , scandals etc are in their very own books that have been printed. As fo fr. Laurentin he follows and approves almost every apparion , he is not some I look to for guidance on this ubject any longer. I used to believe but then started to investigate the disobedience and found it to be all true by their very own words and their is too much money involved. They will never let the so called apparitions end they are doing to well with all the gullible people. What fruits when the people don’t want to hear that many of the priests there are invalidly giving the ssssacraments. If they were truly good fruits they would notaccept such activity and our aldy would certainly not approve of this at all. Use your reason . Think . Don’t go by emotion. The devil is very astute and knows that people love spiritual phinomena.
shirley beyer // November 6, 2008 at 9:57 pm |
Yes! the Devil is full of confusions, to say that the Fatima Messages, is incorrect this is the end times, and everything, is fitting into place. Many should worry about the end times, should The Great Chastisement, will come. Yes! the Great Chatisement will come, these are the most terrible times since Sodom and Gomorah. Father Gruner who’s the publisher of The Fatima Crusader is telling the truth, such as Father Malachi Martin, and yes the devil does’nt want anyone to know who’s telling the truth, but only to divert the the truth., such as Saint Padre Pio, who’s the stigmatist such as many others. Yes! the world will end, look at the whole entire universe. The whole entire universe, has gone beyond the Creators boundaries, and dont think for just one moment, that this whol universe, will be Chastized, it already has begun. the Creator is showing us, through earthquakes, tsunamis etc. Everything in this entire universe is totally backwards. Satan is real he is here to destroy, everything and everyone in his sight, whatever camouflaged reasoning, and no one is paying attention, what is happening, to the secrets of Hades. he’s the Rise Of The Anti-Christ that is here at this very moment. Do i believe that Satan is working in The Vatican? yes i do, he does’nt want the Fatima Messages to happen, because he does’nt care about souls being lost, to Hell, he’s here to collect souls.
shirley beyer // November 6, 2008 at 10:08 pm |
The Churches are empty, because Satan is causing a divertion, and he’s in The Roman Catholic Church. Has many fall away from the true Traditional Church Yes! this is what Satan wants, he’s here to collect souls, for he knows his time is short. He will collect souls, in anyway possible, that he can through government etc, he’s everywhere, in the entire universe. Has he brought his Fallen Angels, upon this universe, to work with him, of course he has, and im not surprised, if they are already working in The Vatican, yes! they are working in The Vatican. This is the time and Rise of Anti- Christ, that is already at work.
shirley beyer // November 6, 2008 at 10:23 pm |
What astounds me is to see, how compassionate, Heaven is to send Apparitions to certain people, for the simple fact, that God loves everyone, and only hoping that everyone, would do the best that they can do, but also to listen to his Commandments, because his Commandments is still in affect, till the very end. He gave the Commandments to Moses, and it is still in affect. Do i believe the whole world will be punished? Yes! i believe this whole heartedly, the whole entire universe, will not continue on, in sins. The Great Chastisement will come.
shirley beyer // November 6, 2008 at 10:30 pm |
What amazies me, the blindness, that no one can see what is happening, around the whole entire universe. The infaltration of Russia, already has taken place. The Vatican, have not listen to Heavens Messages, but of course Satan is in The Vatican, and he’s very powerful.
shirley beyer // November 6, 2008 at 10:48 pm |
I look around the whole entire universe, and all i see is Blasphemy everywhere, in music on the television, it’s everywhere. Children murdering parents, parents murdering children, it’s everywhere. Will the world get better, of course not, these are the end times. Do i trust children being put in Foster Homes, absolutely not. I will tell you there, are children in these Foster Homes, that it’s not for the love of these children, but it’s only for the love of money. There are only, a very few who have love, and i say, a very few. I also will tell you, there are Foster Parents, who are on drugs, also. Yes! Satan has worked his way, all through the deceptions, of the entire universe.
shirley beyer // November 6, 2008 at 11:03 pm |
Yes! do i blelieve in The New World Order, of course it’s the Rise Of The Anti- Christ, we are already in Socialism, God has been taken out of schools, God has been taken out of everywhere. We are heading for Communism, and Atheism, to what? make us forget that there is a Creator? who is above all and everyone, and who created everyone. I will reassure this entire universe will be punished, in the end, because no one listened no one cares of Heavens Messages, Of Fatima ,Portugal, that’s another reason why? Blessed Mother Virgin Mary came, because she loves us soo very much.
Teresa // November 14, 2008 at 3:27 am |
No he ido nunca a Medjugorie, pero me bastó escuchar un solo sermón del Padre Jozo Zovko, para creer con el corazón en las apariciones de nuestra Madre Celestial en ese lugar. ¿Por qué siempre se duda de estos milagros, si sólo nos traen mensajes de paz y amor?.
Mi sueño es poder visitar Medjugorie antes de partir de este mundo, espero que el Señor me otorgue la oportunidad de lograrlo.
gary d. // January 1, 2009 at 4:02 am |
Hello everyone.
Well I have heard and read many comments concerning the Mother of God. I have not read all of her messages yet but have read many and am still proccesing them. There are no doubts within myself about the Virgin Mary and her appearances and her messages. I can see now after living 55 years and living lifes trials that all what she says is true, this I cannot prove because it is a question of faith or the lack of it for all of us. I know this, we can all say whatever it is we feel the need to say and do the things that we do, but in the end I feel that there will be so many that will wish that they did believe and that they did live Her messages because there will not be any turning around to change your minds later and I know its a short question of time now. I will do my best to live her messages and I do pray for all. May God bless you all.
Gary
Carol Rambousek // January 17, 2009 at 10:28 pm |
The Blessed Mother has come to many places not just Medjugorje. She asks people to come back to her Son. She asks us to pray, pray, pray. Scripture states if you follow Jesus, do not expect to be accepted by the World. Often, when Jesus or the Blessed Mother have come to people, they end up suffering from the World. No matter what, if we look to Jesus and His Mother for guidance, they will take care of us. One of the bishops told me the message has always been the same…come to Jesus through prayer, fasting and keeping God’s commands. Don’t look to people they will always fall short of the Glory of God. Look to Jesus. For many people today will be the end…no matter what befalls us, if we love Jesus, He and His Mother will take care of us.
Anonymous // January 21, 2009 at 5:33 pm |
Very well said there Carol.
jkelt // January 29, 2009 at 2:55 pm |
Let me say this. It is my understanding that no person is to say bad things about a priest whether they are true or not. It is not for us to judge another, for only God can judge is. I can, however say that it was my experience to medjugorie which saved my soul. I was trapped by drugs and alcohol and had turned my back on the church, but I felt the prescence of God and Mary while there. Like any good thing though, people become greedy and I saw all of the shops and such. Not everyone sees medjugorie for what it is. It is to each his own. God bless you all!
Damien // February 9, 2009 at 2:38 am |
This is a really biased report but I guess the Daily mail will run with sensationalism. Ive been to Medjugorje and i have seen the poverty that the towns people used to live in and yes it has naturally done well from the many vistors.To suggest however that a group of really really poor kids whose only job in life was to mind sheep could somehow sell a makebelieve story to the world in order for personal gain is reallly quite silly. Furthermore the Churchs investigation is not concluded as is their policy to wait for said apparitions to complete before reaching a conclusion.
Diana // February 9, 2009 at 9:54 pm |
I know this report is lying. There is proof that this miracle is true. I read that the six people who saw The Virgin asked her to heal a two year old boy who was mute and could not walk. The next day, he was walking and talking. This could have only been the work of God.
Brian // May 21, 2009 at 12:18 am |
I have never been to Medjugorie. My friend offered to take me some years ago but it never came about. I know many people who have been there and come back full of the ’spirit’ as the saying goes and for years they lived the messages. Sadly, I can not say the same of them today. I have been to other apparitions sites and came back with the ‘feel good factor’ it’s only to be expected. However, the feelings soon die off and it is then that we must go through ‘cold turkey’. That is to say, we must live the faith without the good feelings and so on. I have read quite a bit about Medjugorie and some rumours also. I will wait on the Church to pass judgment. One thing that dose not fit well with me concerning Medjugorie is what seems to be the blatant disobedience by certain members of the Franciscans and the clergy.
Many holy saints and visionaries have found themselves on the wrong end of the Vatican’s big stick when it came to their messages from Jesus and Mary, yet in holy obedience, they did what was ask of them and Jesus sorted things out. Jesus and Mary love obedience and when saints and visionaries found their way blocked by their superiors and ask Jesus or Mary what they should do; the answer was always the same. Obey your superiors. Jesus gave the Church the authority for a reason. What you bind on earth is bound in heaven and so on.
As for Fatima. I am one of those who believe the Vatican has not reviled the whole secret. Why, I can only guess. As our Lady said to Lucia, the pope will do the consecration of Russia but it will be late. In the mean time we must keep the faith even if the Vatican does not. If going to Medjugorie helps you to do just that, then fine, but as has been pointed out by many of the pro Medjugorie comments here, the devil works by deception and what greater insult could he cause to Jesus and our Lady than to see souls dragged to hell through deception and disobedience. Remember, he (the devil) will deceive many, the rich, poor, bond, free, great and small.
The devil appeared to St Francis as the crucified lord and tried to deceive him. What makes you think he could not appear as our Lady and lead million to their doom?
Conclusion…. If you obey the Church as if it were Jesus speaking then you have nothing to fear, that is, so long as the teaching of the Church remains the teachings of Jesus. If they do not, then you can start to worry.