John Paul II prayed daily for “happy conclusion” to Medjugorje phenomenon
Blessed John Paul II prayed each day “for a happy conclusion” to the events at Medjugorje, according to the witness of a Franciscan priest who served in Medjugorje and also on the first commission enquiry into the phenomenon.
Dr Fr Ivan Dugandzic pastored in Medjugorje for a total of five years over two periods. In 1986, during his second placement, he met with John Paul II and spoke with the Holy Father about Medjugorje.
Mention of part of the conversation was made in an archived issue of the Medjugorje Messenger (#17, 1990), a publication edited by the London based Jesuit Fr Richard Foley who died in 2003.
“After the general audience on April 2, 1986, I had the great joy of meeting the Holy Father (JPII) personally. Of course, we spoke of Medjugorje. He showed great sadness that such an important matter had not been studied more profoundly…
“He told me that he follows the events continuously, while we know that he asks for videos and other material.
“As I was leaving, he called me back and whispered in my ear: “You can tell everyone that each day I pray for a happy conclusion to these events.”
“Finally, he gave me a farewell embrace. This evidence of the Holy Father’s good will fills me with hope.”
Fr Ivan Dugandzic OFM
• Dr Fr Ivan Dugandzic is a Franciscan priest,born in 1943, and a member of the Herzegovina Franciscan province. Since 1990 he lives and works in Zagreb. He is professor of New Testament exegesis and biblical theology at the Catholic Theological Faculty and its institutes. He has published works in technical theological reviews. He publishes in religious newspapers in a contemporary style on various biblical themes. He has lived and worked in Medjugorje on two occasions: 1970 -72 and 1985-88.
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