April 14, 2010. The new commission formed to investigate the alleged apparitions of the Virgin in Medjugorje has met for the first time.
The meeting took place March 26th. Cardinal Camilio Ruini is presiding over the commission, along with Cardinal Vinko Puljic, the president of the Episcopal Conference of Bosnia Herzegovina, Cardinal Julian Herranz, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Legisltive Texts and Monsignor Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, along with a few others.
The investigative body consists of 17 experts, including Father Salvatore Perrella, professor of Mariology at the Pontifical Marianum of Rome. A couple months ago, he told ROME REPORTS how to prove the veracity of the Virgin’s apparitions.
Fr. Salvatore Perrella
Vice president, Pontifical Faculty of Theology
“It’s a very rigorous investigation that studies the seriousness of the person’s claim, their credibility, mental health and adhesion to the faith of the Church. The alleged messages the Virgin has sent to witnesses also have to be studied very carefully, because the Church doesn’t send the wrong message or any message that doesn’t come from God.”
According to the Vatican, the commission will work under the utmost reserve and its conclusions will be handed over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for further study. The Vatican hopes to uncover the truth behind the apparitions that allegedly have taken place since 1981.
BR/MC
PP
