Has the Church approved or condemned the apparitions in Medjugorje?
The apparitions
themselves are neither approved nor condemned. The Church has granted a "nihil obstat" (no
objection) to devotion associated with Medjugorje.
Summary of the Church's current position
The Catholic Church's present position on the alleged apparitions at Medjugorje remains neutral, as the apparitions have not been officially approved or condemned. However, significant developments occurred in 2024:
Approval of the devotion: On 19th September 2024, the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a note endorsing "prudent devotion" to Our Lady at Medjugorje. This approval acknowledges the spiritual fruits of Medjugorje, such as conversions, renewed faith, and vocations, but does not go as far as to confirm the alleged apparitions to be supernatural in origin.
Local Bishop of Mostar in 1981
Initially in 1981 the local Bishop, Pavao Žanić, was positive towards the apparitions in Medjugorje; however, by 1982 the Bishop had become increasingly cautious. Concerns developed regarding tensions involving the local Franciscans and a long-standing jurisdictional dispute between the Diocese of Mostar and the Franciscan community. Claims that the then Communist authorities pressurised him into his stance are sometimes referenced, though not formally documented in official Church sources.
Normally at that time, in the case of apparitions, the local Bishop issued the official ruling on their authenticity. However, in 1986, due to the complexities surrounding Medjugorje, responsibility for making a final determination concerning the authenticity of the apparitions was removed from the Bishop of Mostar (and his successors) by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The local Bishop and the diocesan commissions he established were then released from any further investigations into Medjugorje. The Yugoslav Bishops' Conference was instructed to appoint a new commission under its authority.
Bishops' Conference of the former Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991
The neutral decision (Non constat de supernaturalitate) was issued on 10 April 1991 by the Bishops' Conference of the former Republic of Yugoslavia and remained the official position of the Catholic Church until the "nihil obstat" decision was issued in October 2024. This decision does not prevent the possibility that the alleged apparitions may be approved or condemned in the future.
Official terminology
Up until the new 2024 norms for discerning alleged supernatural phenomena, when ruling on the authenticity of apparitions, the Church used one of three Latin terms to declare its official position. It is important to be familiar with each of these terms when considering the previous status of Medjugorje.
(1) Constat de non supernaturalitate
Established as not supernatural, therefore rejected.
(2) Non constat de supernaturalitate
Not established as supernatural; neither approved nor condemned. A neutral judgement that does not
rule out approval or rejection in the future.
[Until October 2024, this was the Church's position regarding the apparitions at Medjugorje.]
(3) Constat de supernaturalitate
Established as supernatural, therefore approved.
In Catholic theology, the term supernatural refers to what is produced by God, while preternatural refers to phenomena arising from angelic, demonic, or other non-divine sources.
The Ruini Commission 2010-2014
From 2010 to 2014, the Vatican conducted an investigative commission headed by Cardinal Camillo Ruini. The report containing the commission's findings, commonly referred to as "The Ruini Report," was submitted to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The report separated the apparitions into two phases: the initial reported apparitions and the subsequent ongoing events. It is widely stated that the commission viewed the earliest days (24 June - 3 July 1981) more favourably, with a majority reportedly recognising positive elements.
However, the commission expressed mixed views regarding the later events, identifying both positive and problematic aspects. Consequently, for events after 3 July 1981, the commission did not reach a definitive conclusion, instead recommending further discernment. This represented a neutral stance, not a rejection.
The final decision concerning the apparitions rested with the Vatican.
Pope appoints an Archbishop as Special Envoy to Medjugorje in 2017
In 2017, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Henryk Hoser to Medjugorje as a special envoy with a pastoral mandate.
In 2021, following the death of Archbishop Hoser, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, former Apostolic Nuncio, as Special Apostolic Visitor to the parish of Medjugorje.
Upon his arrival in Medjugorje, Archbishop Cavalli stated in an interview that his primary task was to work with the Franciscan friars. He observed strong devotion among clergy and pilgrims, noting that people come primarily to pray, encounter God, and seek the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
In 2019 Pope permits official pilgrimages to Medjugorje
In 2019, Pope Francis announced that dioceses and other Catholic institutions are permitted to organise official pilgrimages to Medjugorje. This did not signify approval of the apparitions themselves, but was introduced to support the pastoral needs of pilgrims. Prior to this, only private pilgrimages were authorised.
New norms released for discerning alleged supernatural phenomena - 2024
On 17 May 2024, the Vatican introduced new norms for discerning alleged supernatural phenomena, such as apparitions and visions. These norms emphasise caution and centralise authority within the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), requiring local bishops to consult the dicastery and obtain final approval before issuing conclusions.
The process involves a staged evaluation, which may result in several possible conclusions, with nihil obstat being the most positive. This ruling indicates no doctrinal objections to devotion, though it does not affirm supernatural authenticity. Under the new norms, the Church generally refrains from making definitive declarations of supernatural origin, focusing instead on pastoral benefit, safeguarding doctrine, and preventing misinformation.
Approval of Medjugorje devotion - 2024
On 19 September 2024, the Vatican approved devotion to the Virgin Mary at Medjugorje by granting a nihil obstat ("nothing obstructs"), the highest normal positive recognition available under the updated norms for spiritual phenomena. This decision, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and endorsed by Pope Francis, was also supported by the Bishop of Mostar.
The nihil obstat acknowledges the spiritual fruits associated with Medjugorje, such as conversions and deepened faith, while refraining from affirming supernatural authenticity of the alleged Marian apparitions. In line with the 2024 norms, the Church now emphasises pastoral value rather than definitive recognition of supernatural origin.
While a pope retains authority to make an extraordinary declaration of supernatural authenticity, such declarations are no longer considered standard practice under the new norms.
The Vatican's endorsement of prudent devotion to Our Lady, Queen of Peace at Medjugorje marks an important development in its approach to the site. It recognises the many spiritual benefits experienced by pilgrims and reflects a pastoral rather than juridical focus in addressing Medjugorje.