French priest criticizes church attitude toward Marian apparitions

Published: 2007-10-25

PARIS (CNS) -- A French Mariology expert has criticized the Vatican and church leaders for their dismissive attitude to Marian apparitions and urged greater sympathy for Catholic visionaries. "Apparitions are not a subject given much credit at present -- they are seen very badly in the church," said Father Rene Laurentin, an expert on Marian apparitions. "When the apparitions are historic ones, it's magnificent and the Virgin can be honored in her sanctuaries. But when she appears now, this appears very dangerous, and one can't touch it." In an October interview with I.Media, a French-language news agency, the 90-year-old theologian said alleged Marian visions provoked "all kinds of reaction in the church," but were generally viewed negatively by church authorities. He cited as an example alleged Marian apparitions that began in 1981 in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina. "The situation in Medjugorje is very confused because there are conversions every day, but the bishop is against it. And when Rome protects and covers the bishops, one can't say Rome is in favor of the apparitions," he said.

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