On April 11, 1991, the Yugoslavian bishops issued the Declaration of Zadar in which they gave directives on Medjugorje. Their commission was dissolved because of the war and the dissolution of Yugoslavia. There had not been another commission set up to continue investigating Medjugorje since the war. Ten years had past since the Zadar Declaration was made. The parish priests with Archbishop Hnilicia, a very strong supporter of Medjugorje who was also a close friend of John Paul II and had played a significant role in the Consecration of Russia on March 24, 1984, together wrote a statement of where Medjugorje stands in regards to official statements made by the Church. The statement follows:
1. The Zadar Declaration is and remains the only official declaration of the Church on the events of Medjugorje.
2. All subsequent declarations of the Holy See refer to this Declaration.
3. The position of Monsignor Ratko Peric, Bishop of Mostar, has to be understood as his personal conviction.
4. The final judgment on the supernaturality of the apparitions and revelations remains open. The events are still happening and have to be examined by the Church.
5. The ‘especially suitable liturgical-pastoral directives’ envisaged by the Declaration of Zadar have still not been given.
6. Nothing is known about the existence of the envisaged Commission, supposed to ‘continue to keep up with and investigate the entire event in Medjugorje.’
7. Private pilgrimages to Medjugorje are allowed under condition that they are not considered as the recognition of the events which are still occurring, and which demand to be examined by the Church. The Church does not forbid priests to accompany these pilgrimages.
