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Contents © 1998
by Jim Holman.
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LETTERS
DECEMBER 1998

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MEDJUGORJE IS REAL

We would like to address the concerns of Medjugorje critics Rick Salbato and Philip Kronzer as indicated in Christopher Zehnder's article, "Is Medjugorje Fact or Fraud?"

First, as two-time pilgrims to Medjugorje, we can defend firsthand the fact that graces and miracles are occurring in that small village. I, like, many others, have seen the word "MIR"(which means peace in Croatian) written in the clouds; my mother and I have witnessed unusual phenomena involving the cross on Mt. Krizevac. More importantly, since our first trip in 1997, I have become a daily communicant; something I feel would have taken many more years to come about otherwise. We are much more adept at living our faith since journeying to Medjugorje.

As for Bishop Pavao Zanic, who was bishop of Mostar when the apparitions began: he initially defended the apparitions, then turned against them when he became involved in a dispute with the Franciscans. When questioned about the Bishop's stance, the Blessed Virgin simply said to pray for him. As the Mother of God, she has never preached anything to the visionaries that is contrary to the Catholic faith.

The Vatican may not make a definitive statement regarding the reality of the apparitions until they cease; yet Rome has not asked people to stop going on pilgrimage. In the meantime, we must abide by the Church's instruction that one may accept the contents of a private revelation (prior to an official proclamation) if nothing is contrary to Church teaching.

As to the criticism of the visionaries themselves; we can tell you that they do not live in mansions, as the term "Millionaires Row" would indicate. We were privileged to stay at the visionary Vicka's home last April, and I do not know of many millionaires who wake up to roosters crowing, or look out the window and see someone walking a goat down the road! This is a simple place, with unpaved roads, beautiful fields, and people with a profound faith, who have graciously welcomed the pilgrims, cooked their meals, and seen to their needs, out of pure love and an attitude of service.

I can't say whether or not Ivan owns a Mercedes, but I have seen him riding around town on a moter scooter! And yes, the visionaries do travel around the world, having given up their entire lives to spread the messages of peace, love, penance, fasting, prayer and conversion. They stand for hours outside their homes, repeating Our Lady's messages; they have been medically tested to rule out subterfuge and mental problems (and passed). We have seen and heard four of the six visionaries (as well as having been present at one of Ivan's apparitions) and can attest to their holiness and humility.

We do not understand how anyone can accuse Father Jozo Zovko of being anything less than a saint (even Mary has called him that!). One feels the love for Jesus and Mary oozing from him when he speaks. To say that Father Jozo has used "techniques" to control the visionaries is ludicrous. Aside from the fact that this holy man defended the visionaries at great risk to his own life (he was tortured and jailed), he himself has been subject to the kinds of events sometimes associated with sainthood (his cell door mysteriously unlocking itself, having his own vision of Mary, etc.).

The other priests closely associated with the visionaries, Father Slavko Barbaric, Father Svetozar Kraljevic and others, also exhibit nothing but the holiness expected from good priests.

Furthermore, Mary did not say that all religions are equal. She has stated that only in the Catholic Church has the truth (that is, the whole truth) been preserved. She did indicate, however, that she is mother of all, and that God loves people of all faiths. This is not the same as saying all faiths are equal. We believe that the Gospa's words are being taken out of context and twisted, intentionally or not, by those with their own agenda. It would be best for persons interested in the real messages to obtain copies of reliable source material, like Medjugorje Magazine, or the various truthful books written about the events, such as those by Wayne Weible.

Finally, in a recent private conversation, Pope John Paul II was asked point-blank whether or not he believed in Medjugorje. After pausing a moment, he answered, "I believe, I believe, I believe!"

While he cannot make an official statement at this time, if what is currently known about Medjugorje is good enough for the Pope, it's good enough for us!

Stephanie Choury, Marie Choury
San Leandro


I have read with dismay your article in the November issue entitled, "Is Medjugorje Fact or Fraud?". I see a summary of the charges that have been levelled for years against the seers and Franciscans. The dismay arises from the article's negative bias. You give short shrift to the positive, and omit the refutations given repeatedly over the years by those who affirm the apparitions. One of the writers you mention has accused the Franciscans of siding with the Germans in the war (relevance?) and went so far as to claim that swastika emblems could be found in Medjugorje's religious articles shops. When I went to Medjugorje in 1997 I misplaced my Scapular and went to the several shops in the town to find a replacement. No sign of any swastikas, of course. But then, authors who would cite air travel, driving a Mercedes and marrying a beauty queen as evidence of a presumably dissolute lifestyle cannot be trusted any more than the shadowy figures who write political attack ads. But perhaps I do you an injustice. Perhaps you mean to publish a further article explaining the pro-side of the question about Medjugorje. You do not say this in your article, but I hope you will.

Jim O'Keefe

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