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Unity Publishing - More Dangerous Than Any False Apparition

Rick Salbato's writing is in black font, mine is in red font.

NOTE: From this point, I will ignore any reference Rick makes to alleged personal indiscretions of visionaries, Franciscans or whoever. This is clearly not relevant to a discussion on the validity of Mdjugorje and, when looked at in the big picture, don't help Rick's cause in condemning Medjugorje ahead of the Catholic Church.

PROPHESY

A major test of any apparition is "Prophesy". Almost all true apparitions of God have some short-term prophesies and some of long duration. Never will God ask us to believe a prophesy without first proving the prophet with a short-term prophesy that has already come true.

In Fatima twenty-nine of the thirty prophecies have already come to pass: the two children's early death, Communism, the miracle of the sun, the end of World War I, World War II, the fall of Russian Communism, etc. Since only God sees the future, it is one way He proves the authenticity of the seer. God cannot make mistakes, therefore, the prophecies must be 100% correct. How about Medjugorje?

On July 3, 1981, the "Virgin" promises a sign.

"It will be permanent...It will not be possible to annihilate it...It will be visible for everybody."

August 27, 1981: "It will come soon."

August 29, 1981: "A little more patience."

Later...."It will be on December 8, 1981."

Later...."It will be on Christmas."

Later...."It will be January 1982."

It is now 1996 and there is still no sign. Prophets?

I have no record of the visionaries EVER saying that the sign will be on Christmas 1981 or January 1981. For a full list of all messages to the visionaries between 1981 and 1982, please click here.

The date and description of the sign was finally entrusted to the visionaries around April or May 1982. The visionaries wanted to put the date and description of the sign in a sealed envelop and place it in the archives. To this suggestion to the Virgin on 6 May 1982, she responded:

"No! I have entrusted that only to you. You will unveil it, when I will tell you. Many persons will not believe you, I know, and you will suffer very much for it. But you will endure everything and you will finally be the happiest."

I feel for the poor visionaries. Mirjana and Jakov were concerned because the people were treating them like liars. They asked Our Lady to leave a sign for the people. "My angels do not be afraid of injustices. They have always existed." Here, Mary is saying essentially that people can believe what they want to believe and that she is not going to pander to the "doubting Thomases". They asked the Virgin about the sign very regularly and they appear to have been taking turns asking, possibly to avoid the Gospa becoming annoyed with the same question. And, as can be seen from my more accurate and complete list below, Mary repeatedly asked them to be patient.

Notice the Virgin's comment on October 22 and 28, 1981 regarding smaller signs witnessed by many. It's as if she feels our impatience and sends many small miracles to bolster the faith of people until the big sign comes. Many of these smaller signs have continued until today.

The following is a more accurate and complete list of what the Virgin has said regarding the sign:

  • June 25, 1981. Mirjana asked if Our Lady would give them a sign, so that others would believe them. Mirjana believed she had received a sign, when the Gospa smiled.

  • June 27, 1981. Mirjana and Jakov were concerned because the people were treating them like liars. They asked Our Lady to leave a sign for the people. "My angels do not be afraid of injustices. They have always existed."

  • June 28, 1981. Once again the visionaries asked for a sign, so that the people would not think of them as liars. They only received a smile from Our Lady as She told them good-bye and disappeared. "Go in the peace of God."

  • July 1, 1981. Again the visionaries ask the Gospa for a sign. Our Lady appeared to nod Her head. "Good-bye, my dear angels."

  • July 21, 1981. Our Lady arrived: "Praise be Jesus." The visionaries asked again for a sign and the Gospa said yes. They asked how long She would continue to visit them. "My sweet angels, even if I were to leave the sign, many people will not believe. Many people will only come here and bow down, but people must be converted and do penance."

  • July 27, 1981. Once again the visionaries asked about the sign. "Wait, it will be soon. I will appear to you again at 11:15 p.m. Go in the peace of God."
  • August 25, 1981. "On the matter of the sign, you do not have to become impatient for the day will come."

  • August 27, 1981. On this day the visionaries again asked something regarding the sign. "Very soon, I promise you. Be strong and courageous."

  • August 29, 1981. Ivanka asks if a sign will be left soon. "Again, a little patience."

  • August 30, 1981. Jakov asks about the sign. "Again, a little patience."

  • September 3, 1981. Jakov asked, when the sign would be announced. "Again, a little patience."

  • September 4, 1981.Ivan asks, when Our Lady will leave the sign. "The sign will be given at the end of the apparitions."

  • September 6, 1981. "Pray especially on Sunday, so that the great sign, the gift of God may come.

  • September 7, 1981. "Be converted all of you, who are still there. The sign will come, when you will be converted."

  • September 16, 1981. "The militia will not stay here a long time. I will leave the sign. Be patient still.

  • October 12, 1981. When will the sign be left? "I will not yet leave the sign. I shall continue to appear."

  • October 17, 1981. On the sign: "It is mine to realize the promise. With respect to the faithful, have them pray and believe firmly."

  • October 22, 1981. Many saw the cross transform itself into a light and then into a silhouette of Our Lady. "All of these signs are designed to strengthen your faith until I leave you the visible and permanent sign."

  • October 26, 1981. "Praised be Jesus. You are not to ask me any more questions on the subject of the sign. Do not be afraid, it will surely appear. I carry out my promises. As far as you are concerned, pray, persevere in prayer."

  • October 28, 1981. Regarding the fire that hundreds of people saw that burned but did not consume anything. "The fire, seen by the faithful, was of a supernatural character. It is one of the signs, a forerunner of the great sign."

  • January 21, 1982. Again the visionaries ask about the sign. "The sign will appear at the desired time."

  • May 6, 1982. Concerning putting the date and description of the sign in a sealed envelop and putting it in the archives: "No! I have entrusted that only to you. You will unveil it when I will tell you. Many persons will not believe you, I know, and you will suffer very much for it. But you will endure everything and you will finally be the happiest."

I don't know where Rick got his test criteria from. It is my understanding that the norms for discernment are as follows:

  1. The first norm for evaluating miraculous events is that there be moral certainty, or at least great probability, that something miraculous has occurred. The commission may interview the visionaries, call other witnesses, visit the site of the events.
  2. The second norm deals with the personal qualities of the subjects who claim to have had the apparition; they must be mentally sound, honest, sincere, of upright conduct, obedient to ecclesiastical authorities, able to return to the normal practices of the faith (such as participation in communal worship, reception of the sacraments).
  3. A third category deals with the content of the revelation or message: it must be theologically acceptable and morally sound and free of error.
  4. The fourth positive criterion is that the apparition must result in positive spiritual assets which endure (prayer, conversion, increase of charity).

There is no mention of prophesy. And furthermore, I don't know where it is written that "Never will God ask us to believe a prophesy without first proving the prophet with a short-term prophesy that has already come true". Is this in the canon?

Regardless, there HAS been a prophesy of a sign that has come true at Medjugorje:

August 6, 1982. The feast of the Transfiguration. That night, after the apparition, two luminary signs in the form of rays of light were displayed on the Cross-at Krizevac and on the Church. Ivan and the group of young people had been praying on the hill of Bijakovici. Before the sign appeared, Our Lady said: "Now I am going to give you a sign in order to strengthen your faith." Many members of the prayer group saw this sign.

It has been clear to most believers that this is the Virgin's final push to save mankind. She has been appearing for over 25 years to date. The visionaries themselves asked her "Why have you been here so long?". Mary apparently smiled and said "Are you tired of me already?". Now, we also know from the visionaries that the 8th secret has been mitigated because of prayers and sacrifices of the faithful who have listened to and obeyed Mary's messages (Note: Apparently, if Rick has his way, all the faithful will cease these important prayers and sacrifices). We can deduce from all this that Mary is pleading before God, with the help of prayers and sacrifices from the faithful, to have mercy on the world.

FIDELITY

According to the Bible and Catholic Doctrine we must be obedient to our superiors in all things except sin. And yet, we are asked to believe that the Virgin Mary advocates that we disobey the Bishop of Medjugorje. Again and again, throughout the years of the apparition, this "Lady" would have us believe that it is all right for the two suspended priests to disobey the Bishop. This alone would be enough to declare the apparitions to be false on grounds of Fidelity to Doctrine, but this is not the most important point. The most important point [and this seems to be the main reason for this false apparition] is pluralism.

Again, very clever use of "Bishop of Medjugorje" to paint a picture of disobedience in general to the Catholic Church. Please do not be deceived. To clear up any doubts regarding the occurrences with local Bishops, please read the folowing articles to get familiar with the true story behind the rumour and to see why it might be possible that a couple of the visionaries might wish to keep information from the Bishop:

Remember that it is only disobedience if the messages are not from God. Our first duty is to God. Many prophets before Jesus Christ were killed for saying unpopular things at the behest of God. Jesus Himself could have said "Father, I have to be obedient to the Pharisees and therefore I cannot pick corn or heal people on the Sabbath". God intended to create a new covenant and Jesus was to be obedient to the Father in bringing this to pass. That was His only agenda.

The following passage is taken from http://www.medjugorje.hr/eviktor.html

The Herzegovinian bishops often stressed obedience as the supreme principle of conduct within the Church. In practise however, they themselves at times, did not adhere to this principle but rather when it suited them. When Bishop Zanic, for instance, came to Mostar as the Assistant Bishop he immediately embarked on convincing the Herzegovinian Franciscans to disobey their lawful Provincial ?li, with the intention of better achieving his aims. He did not succeed in this. When he took over the diocese that is in 1988, a group of Franciscans did not accept transfers, which had been assigned them by the Provincial administration. Bishop Zanic backed them up in their refusal. He even forbid in writing that they be transferred! They who were disobedient were allowed to keep their jurisdiction and Canon mission yet he refused to issue these to those who were lawfully, pursuant to decision of the Provincial administration, to succeed them. This same practise was continued by the bishop's successor, Bishop Ratko Peric.

The Herzegovinian bishops demanded that the Franciscans hand over parishes which belonged to them in accordance with the Decrees of 1967 and 1975, yet he continually refused to take over the parishes of Glavatievo and Nevesinje, which were assigned to him in the Decree of 1923, and which the Franciscans had been offering for quite a while. The bishops were not prepared to implement the Decree of 1975 in its literal sense. The Franciscans offered Bishop ani that upon carving up the monastic Franciscan parish in Humac he found new secular parishes in Zvirii-Bijaa and Crveni Grm as determined in the Decree of 1975. Nevertheless he refused this and demanded that the heart of this same parish - Ljubu?i and Radi?i and that he be allowed to found a new secular parish in these towns even though this is the one thing that was explicitly forbidden in the 1975 Decree! Bishop Peri at all costs demanded that he be given Mostar and apljina yet he refused to take over the parishes in Jablanica and Blagaj which had been virtually completely ethnically cleansed by the Muslims but which nevertheless were to belong to him in accordance to the same Decree of 1975!

These few examples clearly show that the Herzegovinian bishops are not exactly marked by uncompromising obedience to decisions adopted by the Holy See even though they demand this same obedience of the Franciscans.

It is certainly not enough to declare visions to be false on the basis of personal alleged disobedience and Rick is very cheeky for saying so. If it were enough, the Vatican would have agreed with him many years ago.

PLURALISM

Pluralism is a Masonic and Charismatic belief that states all religions are the same in the eyes of God. Catholic Doctrine states that "except for invincible ignorance, there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church". Anyone who says that any other religion is not "against the word of God" is a heretic. (As we shall see, the media has twisted Mary's words)

Fourth Lateran Council, 1215 AD (ex cathedra) "There is but one universal Church of the faithful, outside of which no one can be saved."

Unam Sanciam 1302 (ex cathedra) "We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff."

Cantate Domino 1441 (ex cathedra) "The Most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes, and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but they will go into the eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. Unless before death they are joined with her; and that so important is THE UNITY OF THIS ECCLESIASTICAL BODY that only those remaining within this UNITY can profit by the sacraments of the church unto salvation ... NO ONE, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, NO ONE, even if he pour out his blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he remain within the bosom and the UNITY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH."

The same has been expressed in Vatican II, and can be found in 1 Tim. 2:4, Acts 4:12, Gal. 1:8, Tit. 3:10, 2 John 10, St. Ireneaus, St. Cyprian, St. Jerome, St. Augustine, St. Fulgentius and St. John of the Cross.
This point cannot be overlooked since the greatest promoter of these apparitions is Wayne Weible, a Protestant, who had no desire to change his religion until recently, for as he said, "She accepts us all as we are." Why did he say this? Because after 3000 apparitions the main theme is Pluralism.

Rick gets the main theme as "pluralism" from the messages? It is unlikely that he has looked at many messages, let alone counted the number that contain endorsements of pluralism and concluded that more than 50% do so. I'm literally laughing here. I invite everyone to take a look at some of the earlier messages.

The words of Mirjana:

"She also frequently said that ... there is only one God and that it is the people who are separated. YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IF YOU DO NOT RESPECT THE OTHER RELIGIONS, MUSLIM AND SERBIAN, AND YOU ARE NOT CHRISTIANS IF YOU DO NOT RESPECT THEM."

Mohammed claimed to be the son of God, and Christ only a prophet. He said that any Muslim who killed a Christian did not sin any more than if he killed a dog. We must love the Muslim, but never respect his religion. We must respect truth but never lies. The person - yes; the religion - no, never.

Please be clear: Respect for other religions does not equate to believing that people of any religion will be saved. How ignorant does Rick think we are?

The Vatican CLEARLY AND WITHOUT POSSIBLE CONFUSION fully respects other religions and asks the faithful congregation to do the same. The following from the CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH DECLARATION "DOMINUS IESUS" ON THE UNICITY AND SALVIFIC UNIVERSALITY OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE CHURCH:

In considering the values which these religions witness to and offer humanity, with an open and positive approach, the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions states: The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions. She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and teachings, which, although differing in many ways from her own teaching, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all men. Continuing in this line of thought, the Church's proclamation of Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life?(Jn 14:6), today also makes use of the practice of inter-religious dialogue. Such dialogue certainly does not replace, but rather accompanies the missio ad gentes, directed toward that mystery of unity from which it follows that all men and women who are saved share, though differently, in the same mystery of salvation in Jesus Christ through his Spirit. Inter-religious dialogue, which is part of the Church's evangelizing mission, requires an attitude of understanding and a relationship of mutual knowledge and reciprocal enrichment, in obedience to the truth and with respect for freedom.

In an interview with Ivanka, another of the seers, we hear:

Question: "It is important that people of good faith, regardless of denomination, not be turned against each other. [We agree with this.] But tell me more about this. What did the Madonna say about this?"

Ivanka: "The Madonna said that religions are separated on the earth, but THE PEOPLE OF ALL RELIGIONS ARE ACCEPTED BY HER SON."

Now, that statement ends this apparition for us. But let’s continue.

Rick has dissected the original statement and taken pieces out of context. Here is a full transcript of what Our Lady said and I am open to correction:

All religions are dear to my son. It is you on earth who are divided. We are all children of God. The Moslems and the Orthodox for the same reason as Catholics are equal before my son and me. All religions are not equal. All men are equal before God. It does not suffice to belong to the Catholic Church to be saved. It is necessary to respect and obey the commandants of God in following one’s conscience. Those who are not Catholics are no less creatures made in the image of God and destined ultimately to live in the house of God. Salvation is available to everyone without exception. Only those who refuse God deliberately are condemned by their own choice.

As if it needs any translation whatsoever, let's get it clear....

All individuals are accepted as equal by God regardless of their religion. This is a biblical truth. St Paul preached to the gentiles that they were also acceptable to God under the new covenant and that in fact it was the presumptuous Jews, who hid behind their religion and who called themselves sons of Abraham yet disowned Jesus as the Messiah, who were in more trouble than the gentiles. It is a given that "many are called but few are chosen" and the Virgin is not refuting this.

John 10:16 says:

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Here is another earlier message which seems to bear out this bible passage:

August 18, 1982:. Concerning a planned marriage between a Catholic and an Orthodox: "In my eyes and in the sight of God, everything is equal. But for you, it is not the same thing because you are divided. If it is possible, it is better if she were not to marry this man because she will suffer and her children also. She will be able to live and follow only with difficulty, the way of her faith."

What can we make of this statement? Simply that ever since the founding of the first Christian Church with Peter as the first pope, there has been so much division, and over the centuries we have created all kinds of situations where the living of our faith has become more difficult, one such situation being the sacrament of marriage. God doesn't see a problem, but WE DO because of our disparate staunchly-defended religious beliefs.

We also have to remember the political climate in which Mary made these statements. Our Lady has made it clear that the apparitions and messages of Medjugorje are not limited to Catholics only. We are all her children, she tells us. She made the statements when pressed by the Croatian visionaries about the oppression and persecution of the Serbian Orthodox and Muslims in their own country.

Other messages of unity from the Blessed Virgin:

September 26, 1982: Concerning the Pope: "Have him consider himself the father of all mankind and not only of Christians. Have him spread untiringly and with courage the message of peace and love among all mankind."

June 29, 1981. "There is only one God, one faith. Let the people believe firmly and do not fear anything."


Question: "So that means that all people go to Heaven?"

Ivanka: "It depends on what they deserve."

Question: "Yes, but many have never heard about Jesus."

Ivanka: "Jesus knows all about that; I don't. The Madonna said, 'BASICALLY, RELIGIONS ARE SIMILAR."

Above is a clear example of the visionary just wanting to "keep it simple". The word "Basically" shows us this intention. These are naive humble people, they don't know how the media intend to twist their statements, so they just summarise and think they people will get the general message.

Based on Rick's track record, I am tempted to think that he knows full well what the Virgin means. Giving him the benefit of the doubt however, Rick obviously thinks the Virgin is saying that we will automatically be saved regardless of our religion. This is not what she is saying. She is saying what everybody generally accepts - i.e. that God loves the individual and will give each person till their dying day to accept Jesus Christ as being the only way back to God.

This might not have happened yet in the case of individuals in other religions, but who is to say that, with a clear understanding of the truth and implications of Christ's death and resurrection that those in misguided religions (because of upbringing or indoctrination or whatever) would not quickly convert. Is Rick going to beat up on Buddhists in China living under an atheist communist regime? Surely they are damned according to Rick's interpretation of the Virgin's comment. Yet, the Vatican clearly says otherwise in its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church "Lumen Genitum" which says this: "Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God, and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life."

Let's attribute a jot of mercy to God, or to use mataphors, let's attribute a little heat to the sun or a little wetness to the ocean.

Some more Bible passages that bear out what the Virgin says, regarding God being "governor" of all religions and all peoples being equal in the eyes of God.

Acts 10:34-46. "Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him". The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God”

Acts 14:16-17. "In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own ways, 14:17 yet he did not leave himself without a witness by doing good, by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and your hearts with joy.”

John 14: 21-26. "Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, "Master, (then) what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name--he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you."

When combined with Jesus statement in John 10:16: "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.", I think we see the answer, i.e. that God graciously allows other religions to exist in the meantime and even blesses and bestows graces on their faithful, but that the mission of Christ is to eventually bring all into one fold. I think this will happen through Medjugorje. I think that once the world realises that Medjugorje is truly from God, through the promised great sign, members of all religions will bown down and worship.

In defence of all religions: Nobody has seen God or heard God speak unequivocally (except one or two saints). Even the Vatican cannot decide 100% what is correct in many cases. Even Sts Peter and Paul had disagreements over certain issues so soon after Christ's ascension. I mean...PETER STILL WASN'T SURE IF THE GENTILES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BENEFIT FROM THE NEW CONVENANT IF THEY WERE NOT MADE INTO JEWS FIRST! Thus, what chance does the world have to get it 100% right in terms of the truth about God. Surely, surely, surely God cannot expect perfection. Surely, if God spoke to the world in an unequivocal way announcing the real truths, 99.9% of people in WHATEVER religion would accept that truth and fall into line. When the Medjugorje sign DOES finally come and, if it is an unmistakable sign from God as promised, this will be the start of the harmonisation process between religions (however, this would be, as the messages go,"for those that are still alive").

THE VIRGIN’S OWN WORDS

"Tell the priest and everyone, that it is you who have divided yourselves on earth. THE MUSLIMS AND THE ORTHODOX AS WELL AS THE CATHOLICS ARE ALL EQUAL BEFORE MY SON AND BEFORE ME ..."

Rick has curtailed the message. Please read above for the full message. It is wicked how he has manipulated Mary's words to support his goals.

Shall we throw the Bible away, throw the Body and Blood of Christ away, throw Baptism away, throw unity of belief away, throw priesthood away, throw Confession away? No wonder a priest had an affair during the apparitions. No wonder an illegal order of priests and nuns [living together] has been started at Medjugorje.

No, we should listen to the Bible. Gentiles and Jews are equal before God under the new covenant.

Is it any wonder that all the actors of this play: Weible, Father Kraljevic, Father Laurentin, Father Rupcic, Father Pelletier, Jim Bailey, Mary Lou McCall, Dr. Miravalle, Father Vlasic, Father Tardif, Fr. Rancourt, Dr. Madre, and Mgr. Franci, all are members of the Charismatic Movement.

We just this week attended a Charismatic Prayer Group at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church led by Fr. Michael Barry, Director of Charismatic Renewal for San Bernardino. In this prayer group were members of Calvary Chapel, Harvest Crusade and other Protestant cults. Every week these non-Catholics are permitted to receive communion in our Catholic Masses. The reason we attended this prayer group is to find out why they tried to trick Rick Salbato, one of our speakers, into speaking at “a Women’s Retreat” with Father Barry.

Irrelevant. Drawing blanks with the Charismatic movement again. Bedevilling the Charismatic movement doesn't help his cause. As I have talked about elsewhere, the Charismatic movement is encouraged by the Church through Vatican II. Read this 2006 article from Zenit.org about Pope Benedict's meeting with over 100 pentecostal movements. Pope Benedict said "I have present in my heart and prayer the important appointment of Saturday, June 2, eve of Pentecost, when I will have the joy of meeting in St. Peter's Square with numerous members of more than one hundred ecclesial movements and new communities, from all over the world. I know well what their formative, educational and missionary wealth -- so appreciated and encouraged by our beloved Pope John Paul II -- means for the Church."

Archbishop Rylko said in 2006: "And I think that, in the significant context of the solemnity of Pentecost, the Pope will not fail to launch a strong call to the whole Church to open ever more to these gifts of the Spirit, encouraging the movements to continue serving the mission of the Church with generosity and passion."

Rick and his fellow detractors confuse Pentecostalism (the Catholic version is know as the charismatic movement) with Pluralism. Above all, however, it is a religious movement and not a "denomination", nor a religious organisation. It is born out of a deepening of religious and spiritual life. Bernardo L. Campos M. said "Pentecostalism transcends the exclusive ecclesial boundaries and presents itself within Christianity as a divine action through various religious practices of a certain kind". The Church + The Charismatic Movement = All that is good and expected from the earliest days of the Church after Pentecost.

Regardless, we are talking about whether Mary is actually appearing to 6 people in Medjugorje, not about any alleged clandestine activity of any alleged cult, sect and schism as Rick and other detractors try to portray the Catholic charismatic movement.

Rick Salbato was a member of the Catholic Charismatic Movement for many years. They knew he would not give his support to the movement. So, they just didn’t tell him who he would be talking to. Charismatics have one Masonic, Pluralistic goal, expressed very well by Mgr. Franci [the only Bishop out of the 35 Bishops of Yugoslavia that believes in the seers]:

I don't know why any serious group or organisation would want Rick Salbato talking to their group! And I think Rick himself would fear being in front of a knowledgable audience. I would be sitting in the front row. I would love to see Rick in a debate. He would be hammered soundly.

"I see a NEW CHURCH being born beneath our eyes; the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ... the role of Medjugorje is to be seen above all, I believe, in this COMING TOGETHER WITH THE BROTHERS OF OTHER RELIGIONS, WITH THE MUSLIMS AND EVEN WITH THE MARXIST BROTHERS ..."

This new church will have a new song, for the seers told Father Gobbi that Mary's favorite song is "THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC. [May, 1988] This new church has been the goal of Satan for a thousand years. This new church is what the Antichrist will set up someday.

Wayne Weible now states that from the beginning of his first trip to Medjugorje he wanted to become a Catholic, but this is not the statement he printed in the first five years of his promotion of the apparitions. Then, he saw no reason to become a Catholic, the virgin did not require it.

Again I refer to John 10:16 which says:

"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd." (emphasis mine)

She only appears to not require it if you follow Rick's interpretation of what the Virgin told the visionaries. Actually, I see the Virgin as getting us back to grass roots and ending the inter-faith confusion, just as Jesus indicated in John 10:16 and as the Vatican envisages in its DECLARATION "DOMINUS IESUS" ON THE UNICITY AND SALVIFIC UNIVERSALITY
OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE CHURCH (read here). Differences in faith is a serious handicap to spiritual progress in this day and age, something even Rick would have to agree with. It is one of the signs of the times that the Virgin keeps talking about. 9/11 and the middle east and just about everywhere you look, there is some conflict or other which has its roots in faith differences. It would not surprise me one iota if the Big Man Upstairs sat everyone down and issued an ultimatum that we need to get rid of these differences. This might explain why Mary has said that, after the chastisements, it will be like in olden times - simple and pure. Yes, possibly the vatican and the Catholic Institution will also be casualties. We cannot foresee or even contemplate God's plans.

SUMMARY TO DATE

Rick puts his own spin on Mary's words regarding the equality of peoples of all religions. He turns it into a heretical statement, when it is clearly nothing of the sort. Mary's words are purely an expression of the love and mercy of God towards all peoples, first and foremost.

Rick is trying to paint the Charismatic movement as a schism to be condemned. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal presents no new doctrine. On the contrary, it emphasizes the truths which the Catholic Church teaches as well as maintaining it's ecumenical tendency. If there is anything at all new about the Renewal it is the belief that the CHARISMS OR GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SHOULD PLAY A MUCH GREATER ROLE IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (1 Cor. 12: 4-11).

The Second Vatican Council opened the door to this concept in order to emphasize the fact that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit are not restricted to the time of the apostles, but that they are a continuous reality. Lumen Gentium, the councils document on the Church, states that "these charisms, both the ordinary and extraordinary, because they are necessary to the Church, should be received with thanks and consolation.

To me, it makes perfect sense to be concerned more with the Holy Spirit in these times (which I actually believe are quite close to crunch time, not in the sense of the end of the world, but in a sense of final warnings before drastic action). Just as the second convenant saw God's Holy Spirit descend on the apostles who then went out to build the new church, so I can easily see how, in these times, the Holy Spirit would be let loose for a new spiritual revival, which the world sorely needs and Medjugorje is providing.

What is Rick's problem with that? More to the point, IF IT WERE A SERIOUS PROBLEM, SURELY MEDJUGORJE WOULD BE OFFICIALLY ON THE VATICAN BLACK LIST MANY MANY YEARS AGO. But this isn't the case! It is only Rick and a handful of atheists who really want it to be blacklisted. Again, we need to ask why.

To Be Painfully Continued...

 
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