The Spot on Mount Krizevac Where Father Slavko Barbaric Died
What actually happened to Father Slavko and why did some people say that he died in disobedience? Well, here the story goes: In October 1984, Bishop Zanic told Father Slavko to ban the apparitions in the Church but Father Slavko did not listen to him. On 30 January 1985, Bishop Zanic ordered Father Slavko to leave Medjugorje but again Father Slavko did not listen to him and remained in Medjugorje until he was transferred to Blagaj (25 km away) on 15 September. Even though Father Slavko has been transferred away from Medjugorje and warned not to go to Medjugorje again, he still continued with his activities in Medjugorje. On 15 September 1988, the Franciscan Province decided to transfer Father Slavko to the Monastery in Humac near Ljubuski and this was immediately approved by the Bishop on the following day. However, this did not stop Father Slavko from visiting Medjugorje regularly and continuing with his activities in Medjugorje. In 1991, he returned to Medjugorje permanently without the approval of the Bishop and refused to leave this holy place even though he was constantly being ordered to leave. Bishop Peric, who succeeded Bishop Zanic in 1993, ordered Father Slavko to leave Medjugorje and return to Humac within 15 days from 20 Nov 1999. When Father Slavko refused to follow his orders, his confessional jurisdiction was suspended on 21 February 2000. The saddest thing was, he passed away suddenly on Mount Krizevac on 24 November 2000 while celebrating The Way of the Cross. The spot where he died has now become a tourist destination (picture above).
Initially, it was Bishop Zanic who personally approved Father Slavko's transfer to Medjugorje but why did he do that? Because Father Slavko was a brilliant scholar with a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Freiburg in Switzerland and the Bishop believed that he was the best person to investigate the alleged apparitions and expose the Medjugorje hoax to the whole world. However, instead of doing what the Bishop hoped that he would do, Father Slavko ended up being a staunch supporter of Medjugorje and became the spiritual director to the visionaries.
Initially, it was Bishop Zanic who personally approved Father Slavko's transfer to Medjugorje but why did he do that? Because Father Slavko was a brilliant scholar with a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Freiburg in Switzerland and the Bishop believed that he was the best person to investigate the alleged apparitions and expose the Medjugorje hoax to the whole world. However, instead of doing what the Bishop hoped that he would do, Father Slavko ended up being a staunch supporter of Medjugorje and became the spiritual director to the visionaries.
How did Father Slavko become a staunch supporter of Medjugorje? Wasn't he supposed to expose the Medjugorje hoax to the whole world? Well, he did investigate what was going in Medjugorje and finally came to the conclusion that there there was no hoax, fraud, or deception involved and that the visionaries did not fake the Marian apparitions. What really impressed him was the visionaries did not move an inch despite all the persecution and suffering that they had to endure. They were being questioned, watched, and followed by the police every day and this went on for months. Even their families were being threatened and ridiculed. Given such circumstances, anyone could suffer a mental breakdown but these children continued to speak the truth despite being under pressure to deny the apparitions.
Throughout his life, Father Slavko has contributed a lot to Medjugorje. In other words, his entire life merely centred on his activities in Medjugorje. He is the heart and soul of Medjugorje and he loves Medjugore just as much as Medjugorje loves him. If not because of his presence in Medjugorje, perhaps Medjugorje may not become what it is today. Until his death on Mount Krizevac on 24 November 2000, he put himself ceaselessly at the service of the pilgrims from throughout the world and was a beloved priest to them. Years after his death, the Medjugorje pilgrims still yearn for him and that is why his grave and memorial have become tourist destinations. If he were transferred elsewhere away from Medjugorje, the pilgrims would still seek him out because their pilgrimage wouldn't be complete without meeting Father Slavko. Why was he forbidden to stay in Medjugorje? His presence there was so important because Father Slavko and Medjugorje are inseparable. Those who have been to Medjugorje would agree that his presence can still be strongly felt even though he has passed away many years ago.
Throughout his life, Father Slavko has contributed a lot to Medjugorje. In other words, his entire life merely centred on his activities in Medjugorje. He is the heart and soul of Medjugorje and he loves Medjugore just as much as Medjugorje loves him. If not because of his presence in Medjugorje, perhaps Medjugorje may not become what it is today. Until his death on Mount Krizevac on 24 November 2000, he put himself ceaselessly at the service of the pilgrims from throughout the world and was a beloved priest to them. Years after his death, the Medjugorje pilgrims still yearn for him and that is why his grave and memorial have become tourist destinations. If he were transferred elsewhere away from Medjugorje, the pilgrims would still seek him out because their pilgrimage wouldn't be complete without meeting Father Slavko. Why was he forbidden to stay in Medjugorje? His presence there was so important because Father Slavko and Medjugorje are inseparable. Those who have been to Medjugorje would agree that his presence can still be strongly felt even though he has passed away many years ago.
After giving his whole humanity to God, what did Father Slavko ask for in return? He only wanted to live a life of sacrifice and service, to serve God and His people, and to preach the word of God. The motto of his life was not to have anything but to give away everything. What he wanted was to stay in Medjugorje to be at the service of the pilgrims as his presence was very important to them. Was it fair to stop him from meeting the pilgrims when they needed him so much? What he wanted was to climb Podbrdo Hill or Mount Krizevac to pray to Our Lady every day in every kind of weather - even the cold winter couldn't stop him. If he were transferred elsewhere and forbidden from ever coming back to Medjugorje, then he wouldn't be able to climb Podbrdo Hill and Mount Krizevac anymore. Was it fair to stop him from praying on Podbrdo Hill and Mount Krizevac, something he loved to do so much? Just imagine how Father Slavko would feel away from Medjugorje. Surely, he would be heartbroken! If he could contribute so much to Medjugorje, why not let him stay there forever? Father Slavko loved Medjugorje so much that he has chosen to die there so that no one could force him to leave Medjugorje again.
Did Father Slavko really die in disobedience? How did he die? He died while celebrating The Way of the Cross on Mount Krizevac with about 70 pilgrims. Was this an act of disobedience? In what aspect was he disobedient? Is it fair to say that he died in disobedience just because he did not want to leave Medjugorje? What about his good fruits? There are so many of them. Who founded Mother's Village Oephanage and St. Francis Garden? Who helped the drug addicts in the Cenacolo Community? Father Slavko did. Surely, these should not be ignored. If Father Slavko had obeyed the Bishops' orders, there would be no Mother's Village and St. Francis Garden. And what about the drug addicts in the Cenacolo Community? Father Slavko had offered his expertise to help them and who else could do a better job than Father Slavko? Father Slavko had a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Freiburg in Switzerland and he was very much needed in the Cenacolo Community. Is it fair to say that Father Slavko died in disobedience when he has given his entire life to Medjugorje in the service of God and His people?
Father Slavko is truly a disciple of Christ who had obeyed his Master and followed Him faithfully throughout the journey of his life. He is the living example of how the messages of Our Lady should be lived. And he will live in our hearts forever.
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Reference:
The 'Obedience' of 'Saint' Fr. Slavko Barbaric in Medjugorje. April 25, 2009, Mark Waterinckx, Belgium.
It is a little Different, God all knowing would not go against his church, and would never put his Church in such position, he is God after all (knows everything e.g. the reaction of a Bishop) and would know who'm he would give a vision or message without creating a position of opposition within the hierchy of the Church. After all it is God's Church and not even the gates of hell will prevail against it. There is no way around this unless God doesn't know everything or the Church and it's ministers are not part of God's will and thus the CH is a false Church which we know it's not because of the uninterrupted apostolic succession. ALL real Marian apparitions in the past have proved total obedience to the clergymen in charge, and never have asked for disobedience NEVER. Disobedience works against Christ's Church and not in favor of it. Do you really think Christ would allow this? Even if the Bishop is totally corrupt? He would find a way without asking for disobedience or schism. The devil wants that not Christ and the devil is very, very subtle and intelligent, he even uses people's faiths and good will's against them, and if I were the devil I wouldn't lie I would distort the truth just a tiny bit and be very subtle about it so that ou think is right as a man of the cloth to disobey and later (after many distortions of the truth) renounce Christ (like many "saints" that have fallen). Think about it and try to be more intelligent and do not let the devil fool you. Imagine if disobedience were a regular part of the Church, THERE WOULD NOT BE A CHURCH.
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