The authorities in Bosnia-Herzegovina are investigating an act of vandalism that occurred in the early hours of the morning at the Catholic parish of Medjugorje, after several individuals entered the premises, set fire to one of its facilities, and damaged an image of the Virgin. The incidents took place just days before the start of the International Youth Festival (Mladifest), which each summer brings tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world to the town.
The parish security cameras recorded the moment when several people entered the facilities, sprayed an area with a flammable liquid, and then set it on fire. The authenticity of the images has been confirmed by the Efe agency based on information released by local media.
The image of the Virgin was vandalized
In addition to the fire, the perpetrators damaged the image of the Virgin located on the parish grounds. According to the local press, they covered the face and other parts of the statue with black paint and wrote messages in Polish calling the six visionaries who claim to have witnessed the alleged apparitions that began in 1981 “impostors.”
The Police have opened an investigation to identify those responsible and clarify the circumstances and motivation of the attack.
The parish calls for a response of prayer and forgiveness
Following the events, the Medjugorje Parish Office reported that cleaning and repair work began immediately so that all prayer spaces could be used again normally.
In a statement, the parish expressed its sadness over what happened and invited the faithful to respond “with prayer, fasting, and forgiveness,” following the message that, it recalled, the Virgin has transmitted for decades in Medjugorje. It also asked for prayers for the conversion of those responsible for the attack and confirmed that the shrine remains open, while the scheduled liturgical and pastoral program, including Mladifest, continues to proceed normally.
A shrine authorized for pilgrimages
The attack takes place at one of the main pilgrimage centers in the Catholic world. Along with the anniversary of the beginning of the alleged apparitions, celebrated each June 25, the International Youth Festival (Mladifest) is the time of greatest influx of pilgrims to Medjugorje.
Since September 2024, the Holy See has officially allowed the organization of pilgrimages to the shrine following the publication of the nihil obstat by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The decision recognizes the abundant pastoral fruits associated with Medjugorje, although it does not constitute a pronouncement on the supernatural authenticity of the alleged apparitions, a matter the Church keeps open for discernment.