Daniel del Castillo González
This is Medjugorje, one of the world's most important Catholic pilgrimage destinations, where vandals damaged two of its most important sites this morning.
The statue of the Virgin Mary located on Apparition Hill, where six young people reported seeing the Virgin in 1981, was covered with black paint and defaced with the words “devil in a skirt.”
The attack has deeply shook pilgrims and the Franciscan community that cares for the shrine, who issued the following statement.
GFX
The shrine remains open to all pilgrims. Prayer services are continuing as scheduled, and all areas are being cleaned and restored so they may once again serve as places of prayer and encounter with the Lord through the intercession of the Queen of Peace.
The attacks also targeted statues of the Virgin Mary at the Blue Cross prayer site, while a fire was deliberately set that damaged the outdoor altar of the St. James Parish there.
PABLO RIOJA BERROCAL
Author of the 'Medjugorje Objective' book
We believe the devil is very much present, working in many different ways. He is physically present, because there are extraordinary cases, as you already know, but he is also present through many people who cannot bear all that God and the Virgin Mary are giving to humanity today in Medjugorje. This is an example of that deep hatred and the worry that the events in Medjugorje cause the devil and his followers.
The attacks occurred a few days before the annual summer Mladifest, the International Youth Festival that brings together pilgrims from over 80 countries.
Just over one month ago, the 45th anniversary of the first apparitions was celebrated.
PABLO RIOJA BERROCAL
Author of the 'Medjugorje Objective' book
Medjugorje is at its busiest right now. More people are there now than at any other time of the year. It's summer, late July, and also early August when the festival takes place. It’s all the publicity, so to speak, and the buzz and attention surrounding this attack are much greater.
Since the first Marian apparitions, it is calculated that over 40 million pilgrims have flocked to Medjugorje.
