Bishop John Evangelist Martins Terra, from Brasilia, Brazil, was enthusiastic about Medjugorje, despite the local bishop’s negativity. He said:
“It does not bother me that your local bishop is not favorable to these events because there are also other bishops who think otherwise. One time the Archbishop of Pescara who is my great friend, told me that he asked the Holy Father (Pope John Paul II) about these events. ‘Holy Father, what should I do when the faithful from my diocese of Pescara want often to go on pilgrimage to Medjugorje?’
‘What are they doing?’ asked the Holy Father.
‘They pray and go to holy confession.’
‘Well, isn’t that good?’ answered the Holy Father.
I worked for ten years with the Holy Father and with Cardinal Ratzinger. Cardinal Ratzinger is a wonderful man, full of spirituality and very pleasant. Sometimes I hear it said about him that he is very strict and serious, but I think he is a man with a big heart. Once I asked him what he thinks about Medjugorje. He answered that the tree is recognized by the fruits, because good fruits are a sign of God’s presence.â€
