The Vatican is denying reports that a Vatican commission studying the
alleged apparitions at Medjugorje will release its findings by the end
of this year.
In comments to the Register today, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico
Lombardi said the speculation was “not true” and that the commission’s
findings will take longer.
Earlier this week, the French magazine La Vie said the
commission, established by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and chaired by
Cardinal Camillo Ruini, was expected to present its report to the Holy
Father by the end of December.
“I have spoken with Cardinal Ruini and I can assure you that it will
take longer,” Fr. Lombardi said. “Among other things, the commission
must first give its opinion to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith to discuss, so it’ll be a long time yet.”
Fr. Lombardi’s remarks match those made by allegedly informed, but
unnamed, sources quoted in Bosnian media, saying many more conversations
need to take place.
La Vie did not cite any authoritative sources for its story,
but it followed remarks made in February this year by Cardinal Vinko
Puljic of Sarajevo who said the commission’s work “needs to finish this
year.”
The commission, which has been working in strict secrecy, is studying
the shrine and in particular reports of Marian apparitions at Medjugorje
which began in 1981. These apparitions continue regularly to this day,
according to the shrine’s six “seers”, attracting hundreds of thousands
of pilgrims each year.
The local hierarchy, however, has sought to discourage the “Medgjugorje
phenomenon”, prompting the Vatican to carry out its own investigation.
After the commission’s report is examined by the CDF, it will be given to the Pope who will have the final say.