Catholic Media, Medjugorje, and the parallels to Rachel Maddow and Fake News
BY STEPHEN RYAN, EDITOR MYSTIC POST
For two years Rachel Maddow pleaded for her audience to stay tuned because “bombshells” were on the way that would lead to the ruin of Donald Trump’s presidency. Each night, it seemed, Rachel Maddow had Trump on the ropes and she promised that it was only of matter days before the President, his son, and countless co-conspirators inside the Trump administration were going to be rounded up by the F.B.I. and put in handcuffs.
As we all now know – it has not happened – it’s not going to happen – yet mainstream media has not only not apologized for their dishonest reporting, they continue to fail their viewers by telling them to wait a little longer because the “Full Mueller Report” will reveal all the secrets of Trump/Russia collusion. But with each passing day, the reality of Trump’s vindication sinks in a little deeper.
The game is over and mainstream media knows it, but they are NEVER going to admit they were wrong, foolish and shockingly biased. The behavior of mainstream media has not been without a cost. Mainstream media has harmed the integrity of journalism in a profound way.
And this brings us to Catholic media and Medjugorje.
The events of Medjugorje began almost 38 years ago, and because of the enduring nature of the phenomena, Medjugorje has emerged as perhaps one of the greatest mysteries in the history of the world, certainly of modern times. Medjugorje is a big news story to millions of Catholics.
Six children, now adults, claim to see and speak to the Mother of Jesus Christ and that she comes to them from the after-life, from Heaven, and she brings with her a particular message of “Peace” that she wants made known to the whole world.
Medjugorje, all on its own, no inventor, no leader, only six children telling the world simply that: “We see, what we see.” has shaped history, the Catholic Church, and transformed the lives of millions of people.
These five little words defeated the communist party in Yugoslavia and there is now emerging evidence that Saint John Paul the Great was so taken by Medjugorje that it motivated him to consecrate Russia in 1984. The consecration of Russia on March 25, 1984, some experts argue, was the catalyst that led to the fall of atheist communism in Europe and Russia. Bishop Hnilica said in an interview that Pope John Paul II told him “Medjugorje is the continuation of Fatima, Our Lady appears for the first time in Communist lands because of the problems that come from Russia.”
As the Medjugorje phenomena gained world prominence, the Vatican was forced to form an investigative committee. The committee was made up of seventeen experts and the investigation lasted for five years. The conclusions have not been completely revealed (like the Mueller report) But no evidence of fraud or hoax has been uncovered and the committee members overwhelmingly agreed that a supernatural event took place in the early days of the apparitions.
And where has Catholic media been on covering the “greatest mystery of our times”, a Catholic mystery that speaks to the ultimate question about life-after-death and the destiny of human souls?
Well, the answer to this question, unfortunately, parallels mainstream media’s coverage of the Russia collusion story – silence, dishonesty, and bias.
Catholic media made up their minds a long time ago (for no good reason) that the events of Medjugorje were not “authentic” and once they attached themselves to that conclusion, all reporting going forward would be conducted in a manner that would support their bias. Catholic media have all turned in to Rachel Maddows when it comes to reporting on Medjugorje.
Negative news like the 2013 Muller proclamation to the US Bishops that forbid promoting Medjugorje events – an announcement that shocked the Medjugorje community in the United States – was loudly promoted by Catholic news media and leading Catholic pundits. They promoted the Muller proclamation because it affirmed their bias and this negative bias has shaped the views of Medjugorje in the minds of the vast majority of Catholics in the United States.
The overwhelming negative reporting to this day dominates the Medjugorje news narrative despite the very visible steps the Vatican has taken to advance more positive views.
A few months ago I spoke with the Editor of the Arlington Catholic Herald, Michael Flach, and I asked him if he had any thoughts on the Vatican’s more friendly views towards Medjugorje. His answer: “I thought it was condemned. Anyway, we don’t get into all that supernatural stuff.”
I could not believe what I was hearing.
Catholic media including editors at the diocesan newspaper have all but ignored real news on Medjugorje and this matters, it has consequences – in fact, human souls are at stake.
Catholic news media needs to do better.
Here are just a few examples of Medjugorje news events ignored by Catholic media.:
- The Vatican committee believes the early apparitions were supernatural in nature.
- According to Vatican Insider, 13 of the 14 commission members present at one meeting voted to recommend lifting the Vatican ban on official diocesan and parish pilgrimages to Medjugorje.
- Holy Father: “The conclusions are positive” “I can only say that the conclusions are positive. In fact, the Holy Father already, on the plane returning from Fatima, spoke about Medjugorje, and now sent Card. Simoni [Ernest Simoni Troshani] from Albania and asked him to preach a good word there.
- “Medjugorje represents Europe’s spiritual lungs, a place where millions discover God and the beauties of the church. We have a great responsibility towards the whole world, because truly Medjugorje has become a place of prayer and conversion for the whole world” – Papal Envoy
- Vatican details plan to expand Medjugorje shrine. “We now have to re-create its infrastructure, firstly by securing its liturgical space. We also need to expand its areas for retreats and provide new places for celebrating the Eucharist, especially for pilgrims,”
- “You can say to the whole world that there is a light with Medjugorje and We need these spots of light in the world that is going down to darkness. So friends be carriers of this joyful news.” Papal Envoy Archbishop Hoser
.
Wow! This very article is HUGE FAKE NEWS! The CDF has NEVER overturned its condemnation of Medjugorje. That’s a FACT. The investigative committee is merely ADVISORY. That’s a fact. They have NO AUTHORITY TO DECLARE ANYTHING or overturn anything. That’s a fact. The only people who have authority to make a ruling is the local bishop (the current bishop and the previous have condemned the false apparitions), the CDF (which has condemned them), and the Holy Father (who has not made any official declaration to overturn the local bishop or the CDF). That’s a Fact. Yes, the prohibition of priests leading official pilgrimages, the prohibitions of the “visionaries” of having public events in on Church property, and the condemnations of the message still stand. That’s fact. Anything to the contrary IS FAKE NEWS! Thus THIS ARTICLE is FAKE NEWS!
Al with all due respect you are a bit hysterical. Please try and understand what the Vatican is doing in Medjugore. Everything has changed ..
Al, I suggest you speak with people that have gone to Medjugorje and discern that way. 700 priestly and religious vocations. I also experienced a miraculous, supernatural event there two years ago.
Wasn’t it Wayne Wieble who said the reason the bishop said that was because of the communist influences.
I love this web site. However. Rachel Maddow’s comments on Muller report do not belong. Too political. I get the comparison to Catholic media and Medjugore, but it is stretch. So much good info on this site. Now when the Medjugore secrets are unfolding, and Maddow comments on them, then bring on her comments, just not on the Muller report.
Trust me, I’ve done my research. I know and have talked to literally hundreds of people who have been there. I have read 20 or more books. I also have an advanced degree in Theology, and am working on a pontifical degree. I’m no slouch when it comes to these things. I get so frustrated to see people falling for the FAKE NEWS that you propagate. The fact that so many followers of these false apparitions lie and lie and lie proves that the apparitions are of the evil one. All the fruits that come from Medj. come not from the false apparitions, but from the fact that people are going to confession and Mass. If this happened ANYWHERE, without these “apparitions” the same fruits would be seen.
My advise to you. Stop lying. Go to confession. Repent and believe in the Gospel (and be obedient to the Church regarding these false apparitions).
vatican studied all the events and interviewed the visionaries for 5 years. They have world-class experts on discerning miracles and apparitions.. It always amazes me that doubters never understand this. Doubters believe anything on the internet and speak about Medjugorje as if they are the only ones that “get it”
Doubters behave like “if only I had a chance to speak to the Vatican experts in person I would show them their errors and they would all change their minds.”
I trust in Jesus. Please provide a link to your Facebook page or website. Having done so much research, I am interested in your conclusions. Thanks
The following excerpts below are cited from the article in the National Catholic Register entitled “How to Tell True Apparitions from False” by Patti Armstrong, dated May 10, 2017. This is to help: discern and let prudence be the guides.
The local bishop is the initial authority in cases of private revelation. Canon Law 753 authorizes him to instruct the faithful, who “are bound to adhere with religious submission of mind to the authentic magisterium of their bishops.” If he thinks it is warranted, the bishop may appoint a committee to investigate further.
in the widely followed case of Medjugorje, which began in 1981 with six children in Bosnia-Herzegovina claiming to be visited by the Blessed Mother, the local bishop originally ruled there was nothing supernatural. Later, the local bishops’ conference ruled similarly, but owing to continued worldwide interest, Pope Benedict XVI set up a Vatican commission. That commission is now concluded, and its recommendation is in the hands of Pope Francis.
“People interested in apparitions and mystics do not necessarily have to wait for the Church to rule,” according to Donovan. “But they need to be prudent and continually discern, lest they endanger their faith for something unnecessary.”
According to Colin Donovan, vice president for theology at the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) . . . any negative decision from the bishop needs to be followed. “The opinion of the bishop is not a guarantee of infallibility, but considering the norms of prudence, is he more likely to be right, or you?”
Donovan said Catholics must also follow the bishop’s practical norms regarding pilgrimages, the liturgy and the like, regardless of whether they think he is right or not. “The claim that ‘Mary or an angel told me …’ is only credible when the Church confirms it as such,” he said. “The hierarchy of the Church has the authority, so it’s wrong to tell yourself, ‘This bishop is a liberal so I don’t have to listen to him.’ The devil loves that approach.”
Once the Church makes a final decision, while she doesn’t command belief in matters that are not “of the faith,” Donovan said a prudent person will let go of any vestiges of belief. “If you choose to disagree on something not in your competence to judge, then you likely will also be willing to break with the Church in other matters, and do as you please,” he said.
In his article (“Aparitions True or False”) Father Joseph said that if an alleged visionary disobeys a legitimate order from the bishop and claims God’s backing the action, “this is a j sign that the message is not from God.” He noted that there were occasions in the lives of the saints when Jesus showed us that he values obedience to the Church over devotion to visions.
“On one occasion, the Sacred Heart of Jesus told St. Margaret Mary to do something, but her superior did not approve. When he [Jesus] came again, she asked him about this, and he replied: ‘[N]ot only do I desire that you should do what your superior commands, but also that you should do nothing of all that I order without their consent. I love obedience, and without it, no one can please me’” (The Autobiography of St. Margaret Mary).
In addition to the above, you might check out the below link:
https://youtu.be/8nQ_N5F9c5Q
This is all fine and good but why are you leaving out that the Vatican has stepped in and done something they have never done before .. Why don’t people get this simple point and why is Patrick Coffin the authority above the Pope, Patrick Coffin refuses to speak to me about Medjugorje. With Mr. Coffin it is not a conversation it is a lecture.
Coffin is the Rachal Maddow of Catholic media . He is so beholden to his narrative that he can’t see the truth before his eyes.
Archbishop Henryk Hoser is the Apostolic Administrator appointed by Pope Francis. He recently made comments about Medjugorje to an Italian journalist. Here are his comments:
With respect to these phenomena, the appearances of the Virgin Mary, do you have an opinion?
Archbishop Hoser: Medjugorje is no longer a “suspect” place. I was sent by the Pope to assess the pastoral activity in this parish, which is very rich, there lives an intense popular religiosity, constituted, on the one hand by traditional rites, such as the Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, pilgrimages, the Way of the Cross; and on the other hand there is the profound rooting of important sacraments such as, for example, Confession.
Have tensions with the Diocese of Mostar diminished?
Archbishop Hoser: There have been misunderstandings on the theme of the apparitions, however, we have cencentrated on relationships and above all collaboration on the pastoral level, and since then, relationships have developed without reservations.
What future do you see for Medjugorje?
Archbishop Hoser: It is not easy to answer. It depends on so many elements. I can say tell you what has happened already and how it can be strengthened. The fruit of Medjugorje is an experience from which 700 religious and priestly vocations have emerged. The prayers undoubtedly strengthen the Christian identity, a vertical identity, in which man, through Mary, worships the Risen Christ. To anyone who comes here, they will witness the image of a Church that is fully alive and in particular, young.
Could the breakthrough also come from a recognition of Medjugorje as a pontifical delegation?
Archbishop Hoser: I don’t rule it out. The experience of the envoy of the Holy See was welcomed, as a sign of openness towards an important religious experience, which has international ramifications.
Why is it that the hardcore believers in Medjugorge always love to throw “the Vatican” at their opponents, but never, ever, listen to the same “Vatican” when it comes to the principles for discerning apparitions?
In 2 different books written to promote Medjugorge as true are found statements by the so-called seers who claim that the “Gospa” told them that all religions are equal. The books are: “The Visions of the Children: The Apparitions
of the Blessed Mother at Medjugorje” , by Janice T. Connell, copyright
1992, on Page 119 (the 2nd question asked, on the sixth line down the page.)
This is an interview with Vicka:
Q. Is the Blessed Mother calling all people on earth to be Catholic?
A. No. The Blessed Mother says all religions are dear to her and her
Son. She says it is we on earth who have made division. She says we
are all children of God our Father. Jesus redeemed all. Not everyone
accepts redemption. We have to choose God, to choose heaven.
And: “The Apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje” by Svetozar Kraljevic, OFM published and copyright 1984. On page 95:
XII
ECUMENISM
The six visionaries all say the Madonna has told them that, in God,
differences do not exist among his (sic) people; therefore diversity
in religion need not seperate people. Differences arise in the mundane
world only because people isolate themselves. Every person, she says,
must be respected, despite his or her particular profession of faith.
No religious person should held in contempt, if he or she is sincere
in his or her profession.
GOD PRESIDEDS OVER ALL RELIGIONS AS A KING CONTROLS HIS SUBJECTS,
THROUGH HIS PRIESTS AND MINISTERS. Mary emphasized, however, that
Jesus Christ is the only mediator of salvation.
Is there an essential difference among, say, Catholics and Protest-
ants-in belonging to and praying in a particulat church or community?
The Virgin answered:
IT IS NOT EQUALLY EFFICACIOUS TO BELONG TO OR PRAY IN ANY CHURCH
OR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS HIS POWER DIFFERENTLY AMONG THE CHURCHES AND MINISTERS. ALL BELIEVERS DO NOT PRAY THE SAME WAY. IT IS INTENTIONAL THAT ALL APPARITIONS ARE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Again, the Madonna warned against condeming a person for sincerely
holding a counter belief, and emphasized that such a person must be
respected. Such disdain is especially prevalent in rural areas, and
should not be countenanced.
Further, on p 124 of this same book, the following statement is found (emphasis mine):
“ONE CANNOT TRULY BELIEVE, BE A TRUE CHRISTIAN, IF HE DOES NOT RESPECT OTHER RELIGIONS AS WELL. YOU DO NOT REALLY BELIEVE IN GOD IF YOU MAKE FUN OF OTHER RELIGIONS.”
That is pure heresy and blasphemy.
Don’t take my word for this. Look up the books for yourself.
2 other points:
In Bishop Zanic’s 1990 letter, found here:
http://members.tripod.com/~chonak/documents/m19900201_zanic.html
He lists 25 reasons why he didn’t believe the “visionaries”. Number 5 is all that is necessary to show any true Catholic that Medjugorge is not of God. Quite simply,
he caught Mirjana in a lie about the very first apparition. The standard story about them going to tend their sheep was a lie. She said it herself, they were going out to have a smoke. Her own admission proves Medjogorge is false. End of Story.
Last point, when the “seers” we’re first tested by the man poking his fingers at
Vicka, she flinched. This is on video, found here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VPDRbO_qJ7g
This was later “explained” as Vicka trying to “catch the Baby Jesus” that the “Gospa” allegedly dropped. Seriously??? The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven and earth, who merely has to think something and every angel in Heaven would instantly obey, was “dropping the Baby Jesus”???? Are we really supposed to believe this blasphemy??? And despite later tests in which none of the “seers” flinched, are we really supposed to buy that? Fencers train to not flinch when a sharp object gets close to their eyes. You really think these so-called “seers” couldn’t have been trained in a similar way?
You can believe what you want. Who should I believe? You and others like you?
Or the on tape admission of lying by Mirjana herself? (Not to mention the various other lies by the “seers” as well as their various statements that contradict the official teachings of the Catholic Church?
Why dont you spend a minute with this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ZQ7r3gURQ&t=37s
Then let me know if Church Militant is the path forward for the Catholic Church or the young Catholics in this video.
Please let me know<>