THE VATICAN INVESTIGATION INTO MEDJUGORJE
The Ruini Commission, the Vatican dossier, the visionaries and the unresolved question of the alleged apparitions.
For decades, Medjugorje has been one of the most debated Marian phenomena in contemporary Catholicism. At the center of the controversy are the alleged apparitions that began in 1981, the credibility of the visionaries, the messages attributed to the Virgin Mary and the so-called ten secrets. The Vatican eventually opened a confidential investigation to examine the phenomenon at the highest level.
THE RUINI COMMISSION
In March 2010, the Holy See announced the creation of an International Commission of Inquiry on Medjugorje within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, chaired by Cardinal Camillo Ruini. The Vatican stated that the Commission would work confidentially and submit the results of its study to the Dicastery. Its members included cardinals, bishops, theologians and other experts.
WHAT POPE FRANCIS SAID ABOUT THE RUINI REPORT
In 2017, Pope Francis publicly confirmed that Benedict XVI had established the Commission and said that he had received Cardinal Ruini’s results at the end of 2013 or the beginning of 2014. Francis described the Ruini report in very positive terms, while also explaining that further doubts and opinions existed within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
THE 2024 NIHIL OBSTAT: WHAT IT MEANS — AND WHAT IT DOES NOT MEAN
On September 19, 2024, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published the Note “The Queen of Peace” concerning the spiritual experience connected with Medjugorje. The Dicastery granted a Nihil obstat, allowing the faithful to adhere prudently to the spiritual proposal and authorizing public acts of devotion. At the same time, the Note explicitly stated that this determination does not constitute a declaration that the alleged apparitions are supernatural or authentic.
This distinction is essential. The pastoral value of the Medjugorje experience and the question of the supernatural origin of the alleged apparitions are not the same issue.
THE SECRET VATICAN DOCUMENTATION
Investigative journalist David Murgia has published and examined confidential documentation concerning the Vatican’s handling of Medjugorje, including later opinions and votes connected with the doctrinal evaluation of the phenomenon. This website brings together those investigations, the documentary record and the questions that remain open.
RELATED INVESTIGATIONS
- Secret Vatican Vota on Medjugorje: 21 against supernatural origin, 9 in favor, 3 uncertain
- Some clarifications on Medjugorje and the Vatican Vota
- Six shock Vota called the phenomenon diabolical
- Secret Ruini letter: did a cardinal try to intimidate the Commission?
READ THE FULL VATICAN DOSSIER
David Murgia’s book reconstructs the Vatican investigation into Medjugorje and makes the confidential documentary record accessible to readers.
MEDJUGORJE VATICAN REPORT 