Medjugorje and the Undead
July 15, 2003
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
In a strange twist surrounding the already highly contro-versial Medjugorje movement, a message purportedly from the Blessed Virgin Mary claims that one of the most influential backers of the "seers" of Medjugorje is a saint in Heaven -- but suspicions have arisen that Father Slavko Barbaric may actually be alive - and avoiding an international criminal fraud investigation.
Phillip Kronzer, in a stunning interview with Michael Corbin on the For A Closer Look radio show, cast doubt upon Barbaric's demise, and documented the Kronzer Foundation's most recent progress against the perpetrators of religious fraud.
Kronzer is the founder of the Kronzer Foundation, which is devoted to the discovery and prosecution of fraudulent religious groups.
Following years of intense research efforts, Kronzer stated during the Corbin interview that he is about to launch a major legal offensive seeking to cripple several important groups associated with fraudulent Medjugorje activities.
A successful businessman, Kronzer's investigations have led him into a nearly unbelievable world where sincere religious devotion fades into a fanatical lust for money. Calumny and lies occur more frequently than truth and what is popularly termed "mind control" is a common psychological tool.
Kronzer's investigation of the dark underworld of religious fraud was prompted by the loss of his wife, Ardie, to what he describes as the Medjugorje "cult."
Devotion to the purported visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary began in the small town of Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, in 1981. "Messages" given to the "seers" of Medjugorje have continued unabated to the present. The "seers" are closely associated - some say controlled - by certain Franciscan priests in Medjugorje.
The Catholic Church has never approved the apparitions. Ratko Peric, bishop of Mostar, who is responsible for the town of Medjugorje, has extreme reservations regarding the cult, and has repeatedly cited the Franciscans in Medjugorje for disobedience.
Adherents to Medjugorje, however, have poured millions, if not billions of dollars into the cult. It is the potential misappropriation of these funds which has prompted several investigations into the dealings of the Medjugorje promoters.
The examination of fraud connected with Medjugorje reached spectacular proportions in 2002 when military-style attacks were launched against a bank, Hercegovacka Banka, known to be controlled by Croatian extremists in Bosnia.
Hercegovacka Banka played an important part in the tangled politics of the Balkans.
Croatian extremists used the bank to finance their efforts to separate the Croatian section of Bosnia from the nation of Bosnia, and unite Croatian Bosnia with the independent nation of Croatia.
The goals of the Croatian extremists, as well as their alleged manipulation of Hercegovacka Banka, are in violation of international peace accords which ended the bloody strife in Bosnia Hercegovia.
The raids were authorized by the Office of the High Representative of Bosnia, which controls and directs that nation's reconstruction in accordance with international agreements.
Hercegovacka Banka records confirm that certain Franciscans of Medjugorje exercised considerable influence over the workings of the bank, according to a report carried in the media.
Fr. Barbaric, closely connected to the "seers" and the vast financial network spawned by the "visions" and "messages," is reported to have died on November 24, 2000, slightly more than four months before the first raid on April 6, 2001.
Ominous signs for Fr. Barbaric and the Hercegovacka Banka began to appear as early as the November 11, 2000 general elections in Bosnia. As election results began to come in, the loss of influence of Croatian extremists in the future Bosnian government became increasingly certain. At the same time, their activities were coming under increasing scrutiny from the international community.
Although the elections were not certified until November 27th, the specter of an election setback for Croatian nationalists - and increased vulnerability to investigation -- became apparent much earlier.
The day after Barbaric's reported death, the Blessed Virgin is said to have told one of the "seers" that, "I rejoice with you and I desire to tell you that your brother Slavko has been born into Heaven and intercedes for you."
Kronzer states he has information from a reliable source that puts the "Our Lady of Medjugorje" message in doubt, and strongly indicates that "Slavko" may actually be alive, and avoiding unheavenly questions concerning what he knows about the Hercegovacka Banka.
Because the bank was involved with activities undermining the international peace agreement in the Balkans, it is possible that "Slavko," if found alive, could spend time before The Hague Tribunal.
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