I was asked this question on another site and give the question and answer in case anyone is interested: Hi, I have heard that the apparent apparitions at Garabandal & Medjugorie are not approved by the Church. In fact, they may actually be disapproved, that they might evn be the work of the devil. What is the latest stand from the Church? Usually the decision for judgement on Mystical Phenomena is reserved to the local Ordinary (Bishop}. But in a very,very unusual move the Vatican took this out of the hands of the local Bishop. There were , I believe three key reasons for this. 1. There is a long local enmity between the Franciscans (who happen to administer the Parish of Saint James in Medugorje} and local secular clergy. T 2. Medugorje escalated very quickly to a world lass Catholic pilgrimage site with millions visiting currently each year. 3. Catholic Churchmen at the highest level both in the Vatican and throughout the world appear to have taken a personal interest in these phenomena. Currently the Medugorje occurrences have been designated to local Bishops who have themselves set up a Commission to study Medugorje. A team of world class neurologists an scientists have visited and reportedly decided very positively However I doubt very much if we can expect a decision from the Church in the near future. The whole situation is very sensitive and they have a huge amount of data to study. Recall messages have been ongoing on an almost daily basis from 1981. Also there is pressure from all sides on this matter. As well as this the reported apparitions are ongoing. I doubt if any decision can be expected until they end. Any positive decision would be like handing a blank cheque to any future phenomena , which would be imprudent. Hope this helps. http://motherofgod.freeforums.org/posti ... wtopic&f=2
