Well, I don’t see how veneration for “still unapproved” Marian shrines etc. is a red flag.
Pope Benedict has ordered an investigation into Medjugorje which is the world’s largest unapproved Marian shrine/apparition. It should come as no surprise when he approves it following the investigation.
But I think our North American RC friends should be aware of this with respect to Terelya and other persecuted Eastern Catholics like him.
When the Eastern Catholic Church in Ukraine was formally destroyed in 1946 via the pseudo-sobor of that time and then went underground, her persecuted members experienced all manner of miraculous occurrences.
Bl. Pavel Gojdicz OSBM became a stigmatist while in prison (this was well-known by all the Eastern Catholics in that region, including my grandparents at the time). EC priests who would be mercilessly beaten and then thrown back in prison so they could recover a bit before being beaten again. When they were in their cells, those priests would sing hymns out loud, so much so, that people would gather under the windows of their cells to sing with them, pray and weep.
The Mother of God was very active with her Son’s martyrs at that time as well. Icons of her would weep, miracles would occur etc. When the Church is persecuted, the Divine around us becomes very evident and active.
In my grandfather’s parish church, an image of the Mother of God appeared on the window pane - she was there holding her Child etc. Buses of people came from all over to see this and pray before it.
My grandfather, Fr. John, was arrested by the KGB and questioned. They told him to sign a document affirming he had “painted” that picture to get money. He refused, but told them this was “opalization” and that he could not tell people not to come to church to see it - no money was ever asked of them etc.
Joseph Terelya belongs to that persecuted group, suffering in silence, praying ceaselessly and, yes, experiencing the miraculous. I have had the privilege of meeting him and I can tell you that his very presence packs a real spiritual punch that comes from suffering for the Faith and praying ceaselessly in earnest.
That he felt a kinshp with other Catholics in their experience of the miraculous should come as no surprise.
Saints and shrines become so in the hearts of the people, long before church authorities pronounce on them.
The idea that we cannot pray to a holy person or honour a shrine of Mary until the Church says we can is simply, well, not Catholic tradition.
Alex
