Fr. Slavko Barbaric
Is Father Slavko really a "Disobedient Franciscan?" What actually happened to him? Well, here the story goes: In October 1984, Bishop Zanic ordered Father Slavko to ban the apparitions in the church but Father Slavko did not carry out his orders. On 30 January 1985, Bishop Zanic ordered Father Slavko to leave Medjugorje but he disobeyed this order and remained in Medjugorje until 15 September when he was transferred to Blagaj near Mostar, 25 km away from Medjugorje. Although he was told not to go to Medjugorje again, being close to the visionaries, he still visited Medjugorje regularly and continued with his activities in Medjugorje. On 15 September 1988, the Franciscan Province wanted Father Slavko to be transferred to the Monastery in Humac near Ljubuski and this was approved by the Bishop on 16 September 1988. Although Father Slavko has been transferred to Humac, he remained active in Medjugorje. Since Medjugorje needed him, he returned permanently to Medjugorje in 1991 without the Bishop's approval. Throughout the years he continued to remain in Medjugorje even though he was constantly being ordered to leave this holy place. On 20 Nov 1999, Bishop Peric, who succeeded Bishop Zanic in 1993, ordered Father Slavko to leave Medjugorje within 15 days and return to Humac but Father Slavko did not listen to him. On 21 February 2000, Father Slavko's confessional jurisdiction was suspended. He passed away suddenly on 24 November 2000 on Mount Krizevac in Medjugorje.
Why was Father Slavko being sent away from Medjugorje? Why was Father Slavko's confessional jurisdiction suspended? Did he really do anything seriously wrong? Why did Father Slavko want to remain in Medjugorje even though the Bishop has ordered him to leave this holy place again and again? Was it because he was disobedient by nature? Visionary Ivan Dragicevic confirmed that in a message from the Gospa on 3 February 1985, She said, "I wish Slavko to remain here to guide the parish and put together all the details and information so that at the end of my visit there will be a complete account of everything that has happened here." So, who should Father Slavko obey? Our Lady or the Bishop?
Father Slavko lived his entire life spreading the messages of Our Lady and the good news of Medjugorje. He was very close to the six visionaries because he was their spiritual director and was very much involved with them and the apparitions. Even though remaining in Medjugorje has brought Father Slavko so much trouble and criticism, he still insisted to remain there because it was Our Lady's wish (according to visionary Ivan Dragicevic). His years in Medjugorje were not easy years for him. He had to do the impossible not for himself but for the Church and for God's people despite the Bishop's disapproval and the Communist secret police's intenvention. During those days, the special police interfered heavily with the events in Medjugorje. They tried to prevent the faithful from gathering on Podbrdo Hill for the apparitions. They even intimidated and threatened the visionaries whom they knew were in a vulnerable position as these children came from poor families. However, the visionaries did not move an inch but continued to tell the truth of what was happening to them. That was why Father Slavko was needed in Medjugorje - he had to defend Medjugorje and the visionaries needed his support. Needless to say, swimming against the tide to defend Medjugorje under the oppression of the Communists was no easy task. As we all know, Father Jozo Zovko was arrested and sentenced to hard labor in October 1981 for defending Medjugorje. Thus, remaining in Medjugorje was not a bed of roses for Father Slavko as he also risked being arrested like Father Jozo Zovko. One cannot deny the fact that only a real hero like Father Slavko could make Medjugorje what it is today despite all the obstacles that he had to endure. What did he gain from his activities in Medjugorje? Nothing for himself as we can see. On the contrary, he put himself in a very disadvantaged position and in the end even his confessional jurisdiction was suspended and his presence in Medjugorje was said to be illegal. He died a premature death due to over working.
Why did Father Slavko continue to allow the apparitions to take place in the Church contrary to the Bishop's orders? Because he knew that the apparitions were authentic. But he was punished for it and was forced to leave Medjugorje. Since Medjugorje needed him and he loved Medjugorje, why did he have to go? Is it fair? Why did he climb Podbrdo Hill everyday? Because he wanted to be with Our Lady at the site of the apparitions. Why did he climb Mount Krizevac at dawn every day? He climbed Mount Krizevac at dawn every day because Our Lady has said that she prays at the foot of the Cross on Mount Krizevac every morning at 5.00 am. Those who have climbed Mount Krizevac before would know how rocky it is and how difficult it is to climb this mountain especially in the early hours of the morning. We all know how cold it can be at 5.00 am in the morning. And Father Slavko wasn't very healthy either but he would never miss the opportunity to join Our Lady in prayer every morning. Not even the most unfavourable weather conditions could stop him from climbing this mountain every day. That was why he refused to leave Medjugorje. How could he join Our Lady in prayer every morning if he were sent away from Medjugorje? How could he celebrate The Way of the Cross and lead the parishioners and pilgrims to the top of Mount Krizevac every Friday if he were forced to leave Medjugorje? Needless to say, his immense love for Our Lady was the greatest reason why he refused to leave Medjugorje. And in a way it may also be true to say that it was his immense love for Our Lady that got him into trouble with the Bishop.
The word "illegal" means against the law. Is it against the law to remain in Medjugorje in accordance with Our Lady's wishes? Is it against the law to spread Our Lady's messages and the good news of Medjugorje? Whose law is that? Is Mother's Village illegal? Is St. Francis Garden illegal? Is the Cenacolo Community illegal? Are the good fruits of Father Slavko illegal? Is it illegal to reach out to those who thirst for God? Did Father Slavko preach illegally? What did he preach? The word of God and the Gospel. Can these be illegal?
Father Slavko was not a fool. He was a brilliant scholar with a Ph.D. in psychology. He knew what he was doing. There must be something in Medjugorje that made him believe that the apparitions were authentic. That was why he continued to defend Medjugorje against all odds. If there were nothing on Podbrdo Hill and Mount Krizevac, why did he climb these mountains everyday? Surely he wouldn't make a fool of himself like that! He knew that Our Lady was there. In order to defend Medjugorje and to prove to the world that the apparitions are authentic, Father Slavko has really had a tough time. He really deserves all the praises on earth and not unfounded criticisms.
To those who are not in favor of Father Slavko, just remember him as a good priest who lived a holy life. In this sinful world, seldom can we come across a man who is so full of goodness and perfect like Father Slavko. Surely, his refusal to leave Medjugorje is no big deal when one looks at the great projects that he has done for Our Lady in this holy place. I honestly feel that Father Slavko and Medjugorje are inseparable. Years after he died, his presence can still be strongly felt in Medjugorje. I couldn't help feeling that he was there with me in Medjugorje even though I have never met him before.
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Reference:
The 'Obedience' of 'Saint' Fr. Slavko Barbaric in Medjugorje. April 25, 2009, Mark Waterinckx, Belgium.
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