Wednesday, February 16, 2005
FR. JOZO ZOVKO
From America weekly magazine (scroll down), a report on the priest who has written the prayer to go with painting of Our Lady of the Universe for James Twyman's website:
National Shrine Bars Medjugorje Priest from Celebrating Mass
Jozo Zovko, the Franciscan priest most widely connected with Medjugorje, the site of the reported Marian apparitions in Bosnia-Herzegovina, has been told he may not celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. Shrine officials said the action was taken after receiving information from the priest’s home diocese of Mostar-Duvno in Bosnia-Herzegovina that his priestly faculties had been revoked. The church has never declared the Medjugorje visions to be authentic, and the Vatican has discouraged official Catholic pilgrimages to Medjugorje. But the Vatican has allowed lay-organized pilgrimages accompanied by priests to visit Medjugorje.
Then there is this website which presents an opposing opinion.
And there is this testimonial.
said the Pope's collaborator, Krystyna Gregorezyk...
Pope's collaborator? I've never heard of her.
There is another testimonial here
How can his superiors make these endorsements for a priest who is involved in Catharism? It boggles the mind!
Adding to the confusion is this website which has a long article which says in part:
According to the 1998 book "The Medjugorje Deception" by E. Michael Jones, Zovko has been accused of sexually molesting several women making the pilgrimage there. The allegation was repeated in a Nov. 14 article in the Wanderer, a Catholic weekly, and in leaflets handed out by protesters at appearances by Zovko in Boston this week.
Petta said Zovko would not be available for comment, and attempts to reach Zovko through other supporters were unsuccessful.
"There is no credibility at all to the allegations of sexual abuse. It just doesn't exist," Petta said, adding that Zovko is "a holy man" and a "very, very charismatic and powerful priest."
This website outlines the sexual abuse charges.
It certainly looks as though there are opposing factions over there.
