Bishop Zanic submitted a negative judgement concerning Medjugorje, which was received by Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This judgement was then leaked to the press without Vatican knowledge or approval. Having asked Bishop Zanic to proceed slowly in regards to Medjugorje on several occasions, Cardinal Ratzinger, in a move that was without precedent, dissolved Bishop Zanic’s Commission, as well as Bishop Zanic’s authority over Medjugorje.
