Writing straight with crooked lines
This week it was announced that the pope has laicized the priest who was at the center of the Medjugorje apparitions. Tomislav Vladic was a Franciscan priest who was the spiritual advisor to the six “visionaries” who have claimed that the Virgin Mary has appeared to them since the early 1980′s. Vladic has been surrounded by controversy for years and there are even allegations that he has fathered a child with a nun.
Medjugorje has been a central event in the lives of many orthodox Catholics over the past thirty years. I have met countless good and holy Catholics who have visited Medjugorje and believe that the Virgin Mary is truly appearing there. Many of these people have had their lives changed for the good through their connection to Medjugorje. Even my own journey to Catholicism is wound up in the events in the tiny Bosnian town, as it was the conversion of Wayne Weible – a major proponent of Medjugorje – that was instrumental in getting me to consider my own conversion.
Yet I have come to the conclusion over the years that it is extremely unlikely that the Blessed Virgin Mary is truly appearing to the six “visionaries.” I do not know what actually happened to start the claims of apparitions – whether it was a hoax that got out of control, whether it was demonic influences, or whether there were deep psychological factors involved. But the fact that many good people support the apparitions and even my own conversion is partly a “fruit” of Medjugorje does not change my mind. What I have found over the years is that God will work in any situation, even those that begin against him. There are very few cases in the history of salvation in which man’s motives are completely pure and holy. Do you not think Peter had a least some pride when Christ appointed him head of the apostles? But that did not disqualify him, as God does not need pure instruments to affect His Will in our lives. He works with what He is given: broken, sinful men and women who often act out of selfish and prideful desires.
Nothing that has occurred at Medjugorje is beyond God’s ability to redeem and use for His glory. I have to imagine that the work of Satan is very frustrating: even when he gets people to follow his evil designs, God steps in and still is able to work them for His glory. And this is a good thing, for if God waited to work only when we were pure and holy, He would never come into our lives to change us.
I can remember vividly my folks discussing at length, the struggles the parish priests in Medjugordje were having with the local ordinary regarding support and validation of the apparitions in the early 80′s. It was the first time I really understood the angst and contempt many faithful in the Church have with authority, jursitiction, and leadership especially regarding popular movements, and / or devotions. When dealing with the spiritual world, and with matters of major spiritual firepower, we are truly blessed to have the Church as our ordiance / weapons experts to guide us and protect us from harm, sin, and temptation. There are good reasons why the Church has not recognized the appraritions of Medjugordje, but they have definitely facilitated the Holy Spirit to bring much good fruit from a complicated situation, in a complicated land.
Good reflection, Eric, as always. I admit I haven’t been here recently because we’ve been busy with our move, so would you mind printing out your last month’s worth of posts and delivering them to my bathroom reading material stack so I can catch up? Thank you in advance.
Justine,
I’m a little busy right now as well – I need to finish engraving Swastikas into my foyer.
I don’t understand. Has the Catholic Church already condemned Medjugorje? If not, then why have you?
fb,
I did not “condemn” Medjugorje, I simply stated that I don’t think the Blessed Virgin is actually appearing there. As it is a private revelation, I am free to hold to this position, even if the Church one day were to accept this apparition as valid (which I doubt it will).
Hi – I enjoyed your post and I must tell you why the title caught my eye! I’ve just published my memoir about my 20 years in the controversial Mexican Congregation called the Legionaries of Christ. I was the first Irishman to set foot in Mexico with the now disgraced founder, Marcial Maciel.
Anyway – my point is that I called my book “Driving Straight on Crooked Lines: How an Irishman found his heart and nearly lost his mind” I love the “writing straight on crooked lines” analogy. I’ll visit your blog more often.
I was into sex, drugs and everything in between. My earthly mother paid for me to go to Medjugorje. I had an instant 180 degree conversion. If satan is the one in control over there, then he messed up big time with me. After 20 years, I am still on fire for my Jesus, His Mother and His Holy Catholic Church. I will die in love with my faith. And I owe it all to my Mother in Medjugorje.