Thu Sep 19 05:45:26 UTC 2024: ## Vatican Gives Green Light to Medjugorje, Approving Devotion Despite Unverified Apparitions
**VATICAN CITY** – The Vatican has given its official approval for Catholics to continue pilgrimages to Medjugorje, a village in southern Bosnia where children have claimed to see visions of the Virgin Mary since 1981. While the Vatican’s doctrinal office did not authenticate the apparitions, it acknowledged the “positive spiritual fruits” stemming from the experience, justifying the devotion.
This decision overturns years of doubt from local bishops and Vatican experts regarding the veracity of the apparitions. Despite concerns about the economic interests fueling Medjugorje’s popularity as a religious tourism destination, the Vatican emphasized the “abundant and widespread fruits” of the experience.
The Vatican’s decision comes after nearly 15 years of study and aligns with new criteria for evaluating alleged apparitions. The doctrine office, in a 17-page document, expressed concerns about contradictions in some of the messages purportedly received by the visionaries, but ultimately deemed the site suitable for devotion.
The Vatican’s approval allows for the construction of a sanctuary in Medjugorje and grants a “nihil obstat,” meaning there is nothing about the event that is contrary to the faith. The faithful are not obligated to believe in the apparitions, but are now permitted to do so.
The Vatican’s decision has been met with mixed reactions. Some pilgrims expressed joy and hope for future official recognition of Medjugorje as a holy site, while others remain skeptical about the authenticity of the apparitions. Despite the ongoing debate, Medjugorje remains a significant pilgrimage site for millions of Catholics worldwide.
First Piper 