Mostar October 2, 1997
Prot.: 1267/97
Honorable Mr. Boutet,

I am answering your letter of September 29, 1997 received by fax from the
Nunciature of Sarajevo.

. . .
1) . . .
2) . . .
3) . . .


4. On the basis of the serious study of the case by 30 of our 'studiosi'
[academics] (well three Commissions), on my episcopal experience of five
years in the Diocese, on the scandalous disobedience that surrounds the
phenomenon, on the lies that are at times put into the mouth of the
"Madonna", on the unusual repetition of "messages" of over 16 years, on the
strange way that the "spiritual directors" of the so-called "visionaries"
accompany them through the world making propaganda of them, on the practice
that the "Madonna" appears at the "fiat" (let her come!) of the "visionaries",
my conviction and position is not only non constat de supernaturalitate
[the supernaturality is not proven] but also the other formula constat de
non supernaturalitate [the non-supernaturality is proven] of the
apparitions or revelations of Medjugorje.

5) Nevertheless I am open to a study that the Holy See would undertake, as
the supreme court of the Catholic Church, to speak the supreme and
definitive judgment on the case, and that as soon as possible, for the good
of souls and for the honor of the Church and of Our Lady.

With sincere respects,

Ratko Peric
[bishop's seal]
Mons Ratko Peric
Bishop of Mostar

This letter was supplied to The Work of God apostolate by Peter's Net [Trinity Communications]

On Obedience

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was told by a Superior not to do something ordered to her in a vision. She consulted Our Lord next time He appeared, who told her:
"Therefore not only do I desire that you should do what your Superior command, but also that you should do nothing of all that I command without their consent. I love obedience, and without it no one can please me."
("Autobiography" # 47). He also told her (ibid. # 57): "Listen, My Daughter, and do not lightly believe and trust every spirit, for satan is angry and will try to deceive you. So do nothing without the approval of those who guide you. Being thus under the authority of obedience, his efforts against you will be in vain, for he has no power over the obedient."