Since the end of November 1990, when a leaked document made it into the press concerning what the Yugoslav Bishops Conference would be declaring soon concering the apparitions of Medjugorje, on this day, the Declaration was finally made publicly and officially. As the bishops were meeting in Zadar, Yugoslavia, it became known as the Declaration of Zadar, April 1991. The declaration stated that though:
It cannot be affirmed that one is dealing with supernatural apparitions, the bishops recognized the fruits of Medjugorje and believed they were responsible to make certain the pilgrims going to Medjugorje were being taken care of pastorally.
As the Declaration stated:
…the numerous gatherings of great numbers of the faithful from different parts of the world, who are coming to Medjugorje prompted both by motives of belief and various other motives, do require attention and pastoral care…
They went on to say:
For this purpose the Bishops will issue specially suitable liturgical-pastoral directives. Likewise, through their Commissions they will continue to keep up with and investigate the entire event in Medugorje.
