Vatican Did NOT De-frock Vlasic

By Paul Baylis, editor Marian Times
August 1, 2009

The conspiracy theorists and regular Medjugorje-haters came out in full force with more sensationalist headlines concerning recent events surrounding Father Tomislav Vlašić. Simon Caldwell is a particularly seedy character, peddling his brand of "journalism", which goes way over the boundaries of common decency, let alone objective reporting. One can only marvel at his errors, if one didn't already know how single-mindedly some Medjugorje-haters operate in their quest to literally destroy Medjugorje, far from content with the way the Vatican is allowing the apparitions to continue and wishing to pass their own premature judgement.

Caldwell's headline "Pope defrocks priest over 'visions' of the Virgin Mary" (source) got observers all a-fluster. Those who had seen such headlines before (e.g. "No visions at Medjugorje" after the 1991 Zadar Declaration, sensed something wasn't quite right. And now we have official confirmation via Zenit (http://www.zenit.org/article-26586?l=english), that Vlašić REQUESTED laicisation. According to Zenit:

"Father Francesco Bravi told ZENIT today that the laicization was not imposed by the Holy See, but rather was in response to a request presented by Father Vlasic himself, to be dispensed both of priestly celibacy and his religious vows."

"He requested it," Father Bravi said, adding that, although Father Vlasic was the assistant pastor in Medjugorje when the first apparitions were reported, the priest has been living in Italy for more than two decades."

The bishop of Mostar, local ordinary of the region where Medjugorje is located, has publically condemned Medjugorje. These condemnations were carried by conspiracy theorist organisations, which include Unity Publishing, Culture Wars and others, leading the faithful into confusion as to whether they should listen to the local Bishop or stand by for official Vatican statements.

These confusions let Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, to respond in a letter on May 26, 1998:

• The declarations of the Bishop of Mostar only reflect his personal opinion. Consequently, they are not an official and definitive judgement from the Church.
• One is directed to the declaration of Zadar, which leaves the door open to future investigations. In the meanwhile private pilgrimages with pastoral accompaniment for the faithful are permitted.