The Canonical status of Rev. Father Tomislav Vlašić, OFM - Our Lady of Medjugorje

The CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH with its letter prot. 144/1985-27164 of 30 May 2008, has authorized me as the local Bishop of the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno to inform the diocesan community of the canonical status of Fr. Tomislav Vlašić, the founder of the association “Kraljice mira potpuno Tvoji - po Mariji k Isusu” - (Queen of Peace, totally Yours - Through Mary to Jesus).

The letter signed by the Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Angelo Amato, states the following:

“Within the context of the phenomenon Medjugorje, this Dicastery is studying the case of Father Tomislav VLASIC OFM, originally from that region and the founder of the association ‘Kraljice mira potpuno Tvoji - po Mariji k Isusu’.

On 25 January 2008, through a properly issued Decree, this Dicastery imposed severe cautionary and disciplinary measures on Fr. Vlasic.

The non-groundless news that reached this Congregation reveals that the religious priest in question did not respond, even partially, to the demands of ecclesiastical obedience required by the very delicate situation he finds himself in, justifying himself by citing his zealous activity in the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno and surrounding territories, in initiating religious activities, buildings, etc.

Since Fr. Vlasic has fallen into a censure of interdict latae sententiae reserved to this Dicastery, I kindly ask Your Excellency, for the good of the faithful, to inform the community of the canonical status of Fr. Vlasic and at the same time to report on the situation in question…”.

This regards the fact that the same Congregation of the Holy See applied ecclesiastical sanctions against Rev. Father Tomislav Vlašić, through a Decree of the Congregation (prot. 144/1985) of 25 January 2008, signed by Cardinal William Levada, Prefect, and by Archbishop Angelo Amato, Secretary of the Congregation along with the “Concordat cum originali” of 30 January 2008, verified by Msgr. John Kennedy, Official of the Congregation.^[1]

The Decree was handed over to Rev. Fr. Tomislav Vlašić in the General Curia of the OFM in Rome on 16 February 2008 and the notification was co-signed by the Minister General of the Franciscan Minor Order, Father José R. Carballo, the Ordinary of Fr. Vlašić.

The Decree of the Congregation mentions that Rev. Fr. Tomislav Vlašić, a cleric of the Franciscan Minor Order - the founder of the association ‘Kraljice mira potpuno Tvoji po Mariji k Isusu’ and who is involved in the “phenomenon Medjugorje” - has been reported to the Congregation “for the diffusion of dubious doctrine, manipulation of consciences, suspected mysticism, disobedience towards legitimately issued orders and charges contra sextum^[2].”

Having studied the case, the Congregation during its special Congress decreed the following sanctions against Rev. Fr. Tomislav Vlasic:

“1. Mandatory residence in one of the houses of the Order in the region of Lombardy (Italy) to be determined by the Minister General of the Order and to be realized within thirty days from the time of the legitimate notification of this decree;

2. All contacts with the “Kraljice Mira…” community and with its members are prohibited;

3. Any actions involving juridical contracts and administrative organizations, whether canonical or civil, effected without the written permission ad actum^[3] of the Minister General of the Order and under his responsibility are prohibited;

4. A mandatory course of theological-spiritual formation, with a final evaluation along with a prior recognitio^[4] of this Congregation, and a solemn professio fidei^[5] ;

5. The following are also prohibited: activities involving the ‘care of souls’, preaching, public appearances, while the faculty to hear confessions is also revoked up until the conclusion of the terms described in the previous number, barring an evaluation of the case.

An additional sanction of a latae sententiae^[6] interdict (can. 1332) reserved to the Apostolic See is adjoined in the case of the violation of the mandatory residence (n. 1) and the other prohibited acts mentioned in n. 3 and n. 5.^[7]

Fr. Vlasic is forewarned that in the case of stubbornness a juridical penal process will begin with the aim of still harsher sanctions, not excluding dismissal^[8], having in mind the suspicion of heresy and schism, as well as scandalous acts contra sextum, aggravated by mystical motivations.

Fr. Vlasic remains under the direct jurisdiction of the Minister General of the Order of Minor Franciscans, who shall see to his vigilance through the local Superior or another Delegate”.

All the priests, religious and faithful in the Dioceses of Mostar-Duvno and Trebnje-Mrkan, as well as all those concerned “in the pertinent territories”, are hereby informed on the current canonical status of Rev. Father Tomislav Vlašić.

With the sentiments of my highest consideration,

+ Ratko Perić, Bishop
Fr. Ante Luburić, Chancellor

Footnotes (were not included in the document above)

[1] A certification that a reproduction or translation of a document accords with the original.

[2] "against the sixth"--i.e., against the Sixth Commandment, meaning charges of a sexual nature; this may one of the reasons the CDF was handling this case, since it has charge of certain cases involving priests violating the Sixth Commandment .

[3] "to the act"--i.e., Vlasic must get permission for each individual act.

[4] "approval"--i.e., approval of the course of formation

[5] "profession of faith"--i.e., Fr. Vlasic must make a profession of faith after his approved course of formation and final evaluation;

[6] "automatic"

[7] I.e., if Fr. Vlasic violates provisions 1, 3, or 5 then he is subject to an automatic interdict and the interdict can only be lifted by the Holy See; see canon 1332 on the effects of interdict.

[8] i.e., from the clerical state, which would be forced laicization in this case

Note by the webmaster

Fr. Tomislav Vlasic moved to Medjugorje in 18th August 1981 (Medjugorje apparitions started in June 1981). He was officialy assigned as an associate pastor in Medjugorje by Bishop Zanic in 27 July 1982. After the pastor of Medjugorje during that time, Fr. Jozo Zovko, was sent to the prison by the communist regime in 1981, Fr. Tomislav Pervan became the pastor of Medjugorje from 1982 to 1988. Fr. Tomislav Vlasic does not serve in Medjugorje since September 1984.