AP: Pope: It's OK to Organize Pilgrimages to Bosnian Shrine

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Victoria33

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This article just came out (attention, if this is not proper for the forum as I know, this is not an officially approved apparition, Moderators please delete):

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/a...-ok-to-organize-pilgrimages-to-bosnian-shrine

Excerpt:
Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti said in a written statement that “the Holy Father has ruled that it’s possible to organize pilgrimages to Medjugorje,” the site in Bosnia that has drawn millions of Catholic believers and visitors.

In 1981, six children and teenagers said they saw apparitions of Mary on a hill in the village of Medjugorje. Last year, a million people flocked there to kneel in prayer before a statue of Mary.

The pope’s decision to permit official pilgrimages also was relayed by the Vatican’s envoy to the local parish and by the papal nuncio in Bosnia’s capital of Sarajevo, 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the shrine.
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I don’t discern any kind of change in policy here. So perhaps, just reiterating the Church’s position?

But the article does seem to indicate a change per the last few paragraphs.
 
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Mary is there as She is with Her children anywhere.
There is a shrine, and so better go with well prepared priests than with anyone. They will know better how to take care of the faith of the people.
With or without the vision era or alleged visioners, one may go to a shrine and ask for Mary’s intercession anywhere on earth.
How many of us have a little cherished spot where we like to go to pray to Mary… it isn t about the miracle, it is the faith that Our Mother is there to listen.
I am glad the priests have support to accompany the people who no matter what will keep going. They will also tell them the truth as far as what the Church ‘s position is yet. That is better than just anyone unprepared to accompany.
That is what I think at least. The faith of the people is very important to support.
 
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I would hope it’s okay. Priests seem to have been taking people there for a while. I met a tour group returning from there with their priest in the airport a couple years back, and one of my prayer group leaders has been gushing about their recent trip there with several priests active in the prayer groups.

I am fine with the idea that everybody goes there, prays, goes to confession etc though I did wonder why everybody has to go there to stand in very long lines to confess when it is highly likely they have a priest in their own neighborhood who will hear their confession any time with a shorter line.
I am not comfortable with everybody going to watch the alleged visionaries have a vision.

Also it seems a bit odd that this is taking so long for a decision on approval (and many people like my prayer group leader insist it is somehow “already approved”) when Our Lady of Kibeho was approved in a much shorter time and yet I don’t see everyone rushing there. Granted, Kibeho is not in Europe which would make it tougher on the EU folks, but for those from USA it’s six of one half a dozen of the other.
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
Also it seems a bit odd that this is taking so long for a decision on approval
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As I understand it, an apparition must be complete before it can be assessed. The “seers” in Medjugoria still claim daily apparitions.
 
I see. That “ongoing apparition” stuff, like I said, is a red flag for me, especially since the pilgrims I know who go there seem very excited by the idea of “seeing a real apparition”.
 
I personally do not believe the recent ''apparitions of Medjugore ‘’ to be authentic. I however admit as the Pope also said, that one cannot ignore the fact that believers are receiving sacraments and graces there. That is why I totally I agree with the Pope to permit pilgrimages there officially. However, the recent apparitions don’t seem to be authentic. The Pope also expressed his skepticism about them a couple of years ago, and said the Mary that the seers seem to be seeing is not the same as the Mary of the Gospels.
 
However, I will stick to whatever decision the church makes on the matter. If the Church officially approves, then I will accept it. If they don’t, I will also accept the decision.
 
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