Bishop Faber Macdonald supports Medjugorje.

St. John, NB -- For the past 24 years the village of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Hercegovina has been the scene of apparitions of Our Blessed Lady to six visionaries. It is now a popular place of pilgrimage, attracting thousands annually, despite the disapproval of the local bishop. While the apparitions have not been officially recognized by the Vatican so far, Pope John Paul II has noted the pastoral benefits to pilgrims.

This year the pilgrims were joined by Bishop Faber Macdonald who recorded his recollections in a lengthy article for The New Freeman, his diocesan tabloid (Dec., 2004). He has come back deeply impressed by the spiritual atmosphere of the place and by the overt faith and piety expressed by the visitors, particularly at the Masses and other liturgies in St. James' Church.

Particularly Bishop Macdonald noted the beneficial effect on priests who visit the place, some annually. He sees the pilgrim experience there as giving hope to priests who are lonely and disillusioned through their dealings with cynical and materialistic laity. "In Medjugorje", says the bishop, "priests find life. They have their priestly joy restored. They rediscover hope." He hopes the Church will work to officially study and publish the message of Medjugorje, which becomes even more urgent as we slide down the slippery slope of secularism.