Paul Keenan
Ever the subject of debate, the contentious site of alleged apparitions that is Medjugorje has drawn another cardinal into the arena of debate around its provenance in the earliest days of the New Year.
Hard on the heels of the December visit of Cardinal Christoph SchÎnborn of Vienna, which provoked criticism from long-time Medjugorje opponent, Bishop Ratko Peric of Mostar, and joy from those longing for Church approval for their beloved site, Cardinal José Saraiva Martins has offered his own slant on affairs in an online interview.
The intervention, offered on the Italian Petrus website, by the Portugese cardinal can only be seen as significant, given his own antecedents. In addition to being a former Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, he is a recognised authority on that famed shrine in his Portugese homeland, Fatima.
Taking the same approach as his fellow cardinal to the fruits of Medjugorje, and the undeniable good associated with the parish, Cardinal Martins nevertheless offers what some will see view as a critical appraisal while others will see reason to question his thoughts.
On the obvious temptation to draw a parallel between Medjugorje and Fatima, Cardinal Martins offers his own reasoning as to why the one is not necessarily the successor to the other.
''I see too many differences, '' he admits. ''The little shepherds of Fatima made themselves humble and chose silence; at Medjugorje, I don't know if that is going to happen; Sister Lucia entered the cloister, at Medjugorje, no one has chosen consecrated life; the same Sister Lucia put into writing the secrets entrusted to her by the Madonna, while at Medjugorje they continue to keep them for themselves. No, I see nothing in common between Fatima and Medjugorje.''
Further, the cardinal offers his thoughts on the allegation that the Virgin is said to have asked the six ''seers'' of Medjugorje not to obey the prohibitions of their diocesan bishop, such as, for example, to not speak publicly any more of the alleged visions.
''The Madonna could not, in any case at all, be anti-hierarchical and incite disobedience,'' he stresses, ''even if the Bishop of Mostar were wrong. This is another element on which to reflect.''
Be that as it may, there are the very real conversions at Medjugorje to deal with; surely, the interviewer poses, these might sufficient reason to believe in Medjugorje.
Authenticity
''Absolutely not,'' Cardinal Martins stresses, ''whether about conversions, or also about healings, it is not a sufficient argument to evaluate the thesis of the authenticity of the apparitions. Just because people convert in this place, it is not given that the Madonna is appearing. Conversion is also possible in a little country parish.''
Then is invention, be it from desire for economic gain, or by demonic prompting, a cause?
''I don't know if these apparitions were invented or if they have economic interests; for sure, in cases of this sort, the devil's paw may be here. But God is so great that he knows how to make even the evil one serve for the good of humanity: in this way, it is possible to explain the benefits which many people maintain they received at Medjugorje.''
Demonstrating an understanding that Medjugorje is not yet, as far as the Church is concerned a 'known quantity' and that, in his words, ''the Church does very well to be prudent in the face of events so delicate, which inevitably involve the feelings of millions of the faithful'', Cardinal Martins offers guidance for those still drawn as pilgrims to the parish.
''He must not take for granted and must not become convinced that the apparitions are authentic,'' the cardinal advises. ''Therefore, he must go to the place to pray, but not through his presence to acknowledge the authenticity of phenomena whose approval depends solely and exclusively on the Church, and which in any case neither subtracts nor adds anything to Revelation, which is already complete in Christ.''
