Episode 1388: Beware of Our Lady of Medjugorje

The Catholic Church has not officially recognized or approved the alleged apparitions of Our Lady of Medjugorje. The reported apparitions in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, began in 1981, with six young people claiming to have regular visions of the Virgin Mary. Since then, the site has become a popular pilgrimage destination attracting millions of visitors seeking spiritual experiences and healing.

The Church's approach to reported apparitions involves a careful and thorough investigation to determine their authenticity. The Vatican sets up a commission to investigate the claims, and until this process is completed, the Church does not make any official pronouncements about the supernatural nature of the events.

Regarding Medjugorje, there have been both supporters and critics within the Church. Some believe in the authenticity of the apparitions and the messages conveyed, while others are more cautious or skeptical due to concerns about the commercialization of the site, the longevity of the reported visions, and the messages' alignment with Church teaching.

Over the years, the local bishops have issued various statements expressing reservations about the authenticity of the apparitions, and in 2017, the Vatican established a commission to further investigate the matter. However, the commission's findings have not been made public yet, and no official statement from the Vatican or the Pope has been issued.

It's essential to remember that the Catholic Church takes such matters seriously and prudently investigates reported apparitions to discern whether they are genuinely supernatural in nature and in line with the teachings of the faith. Until an official statement is made, Catholics are not required to believe in or follow private revelations like those reported in Medjugorje.