http:\/\/www.catholic.com\/audio-player\/40438<\/a><\/p>\nI reached out to the radio hosts to discuss my concerns about their broadcast but as you will see at the end of this short article one of the hosts was not quite up for a dialog. So I decided to write this in response.<\/p>\n
My first concern was about the radio program\u2019s \u00a0timing. Why did they schedule the program for mid August. I had my suspicions but I wanted to hear from the the hosts themselves. \u00a0Since I did not get a response I will share my thoughts on this matter.<\/p>\n
Perhaps cynically, Patrick Madrid and Patrick Coffin chose to have their anti-Medjugorje discussion on the virtually the same day visionary, Mirjana Soldo, launched her new biography titled, \u201cMy Heart Will Triumph\u201d.<\/p>\n
It is quite telling of the deep-seated \u00a0bias that the two well known Catholic apologists (they are not alone) \u00a0hold for Medjugorje by having a \u00a0discussion on the day an important book about Medjugorje comes out yet \u00a0both panelists had no interest in reading it or even mentioning that fact.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m no radio professional but I\u2019m under the impression that topics on \u00a0radio shows are often centered on new books and breaking news. If you are going to talk about Medjugorje why ignore one of the biggest piece\u2019s\u00a0of Medjugorje news (Mirjana\u2019s biography)\u00a0\u00a0since the Vatican announced its\u00a0investigation into the alleged apparitions. It\u2019s worth noting that\u00a0\u00a0Mirjana\u2019s biography, at the time of this writing, \u00a0is one of the best selling books IN THE WORLD. \u00a0 <\/strong>To this point the radio guys had not one peep to say about Mirjana\u2019s book.<\/p>\nNow if Patrick Madrid and Patrick Coffin say they were not aware that the book was coming out on the day of their radio program then quite frankly what business do they have talking about the subject in the first place. \u00a0But for those who are paying attention it is pretty easy to conclude the program was just another anti-Medjugorje hit piece timed specifically on the day of the book launch by two guys who have a long history of saying negative things about Medjugorje.<\/p>\n
![\"Medjugorje](\"https:\/\/www.mysticpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Medjugorje-1-1-300x264.jpg\")
Patrick Coffin did not talk about Mirjana\u2019s book but he \u00a0did have a lot to say about Medjugore \u2013 nothing new mind you \u2013 just a lot to say.<\/p>\n
Mr. Coffin is well aware that the Vatican has completed a five year investigation into Medjugorje. He is also aware that the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith has submitted their findings to Pope Francis. The Catholic world awaits the Pope\u2019s decision on Medjugorje.<\/p>\n
Coffin knows all this but on his radio program he leaves this information out and \u00a0emphatically says the local Bishop is the authority that matters and because of the Bishop\u2019s\u00a0prior\u00a0rulings the case is closed and that Medjugorje is one big case of Church \u201cdisobedience\u201d. Seriously, as I was \u00a0listening to the program, I literally had to recheck the date of the broadcast to make sure I was not listening to a 15 year old program.<\/p>\n
After the radio show concluded I quickly shot off an email to Mr. Coffin. I pointed out that he did not discuss the Vatican investigation and that he continues to rely on an obscure paranormal investigator for most of \u00a0his negative positions. I asked Coffin why he relies on a self-appointed authority while dismissing the important point that the Vatican has conducted an investigation. I also pointed out that Cardinal Schonborn, viewed by many as the \u201cPope\u2019s Right Hand Man\u201d has had positive things to say about Medjugorje and the important Cardinal\u2019s views should carry weight and provide listeners a balanced perspective \u00a0in a \u00a0discussion. \u00a0Nope, to Patrick Coffin the research conducted by a college professor, working on his own, is the authority that counts. \u00a0Patrick Coffin responded to with this little gem:<\/p>\n
\u201cMedjugorje is an\u00a0unapproved<\/b> phenomena, and I\u2019m already tired of traversing the same ground. The site of the Diocese of Mostar-Dunno is the sole source of authority on it. I find Medjugorje to be a giant tar baby. Touch it, and it sticks to you for a long time, is hard to remove, and its supporters keep wanting you to stick around and stay entangled. It\u2019s very strange. \u00a0The biggest fruits by far of Medjugorje is: disobedience and resistance to legitimate authority.\u00a0I\u2019m over and out.<\/em><\/div>\nThanks!\u201d<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Video of the most recent Medjugorje Youth Festival. For me it\u2019s a little slice of how Medjugore can help change people<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"medjugorje-mladifest-festival-2008-gathering\"](\"https:\/\/www.mysticpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/medjugorje-mladifest-festival-2008-gathering-300x226.jpg\")
By Stephen Ryan<\/strong><\/p>\n