Scientific and Medical Studies on the Apparitions at Medjugorje [antikvár]

Preface Ecstasies have never been subjected organically to scientific tests. This book is a 'first' in the field. It offers precise confirmation that the ecstasy of the young people of Medjugorje is neither dream nor epilepsy, hallucination nor hysteria, nor catalepsy. There is nothing pathological about it; they suffer no identity crisis. This study is the fruit of ongoing dialogue between the medical team of Professor Henri Joyeux and the theologian editor of this book. The reader will readily distinguish the part played by each side: the syntheses are the work of the theologian while the tests and detailed reports are the responsibility of the medical team. The T or 'we' will underline certain finer precisions which are not differences but which may help to indicate the role or perspective of each side. We make no attempt to compete with the work of the Commission appointed by the Bishop of Mostar. Our sole aim is to cooperate; science is international and the Church catholic — indeed ecumenical. We freely admit to a certain fear in undertaking our task, mindful that the ending of the apparitions would remove all future opportunities for ever. Our Croatian friends will pardon us for having acted as trans-frontier doctors and theologians; our sole preoccupation has been to serve their Church and their country which we hold more precious than any modest contribution we might make. We in no way wish that our studies should anticipate the judgment of the authorities. Our studies are sectoral while -the final judgment on the events will be all-embracing. What helped to motivate our work is the fact that in the final analysis, according to the well-defined statutes of tradition and councils, the Bishop's decision does not carry the full dogmatic authority of his magisterium but rather depends on good judgement and the weight of the arguments. This book is meant to be accessible to non-specialists. Legal statements and technical details are confined to an appendix. It is our hope that the facts ascertained and verified will clarify the meaning of this event which has moved and converted so many people from so many different nations in a fashion completely out of proportion to the unusual adventure of five