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Camillo cardinal Ruini

Cardinal Ruini was born February 1931 in Italy. Cardinal Ruini is the Chairman of the International Medjugorje Commission.  He obtained a licentiate in philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Ruini was ordained in 1957 and taught at the diocesan seminary till 1968. Teaching also in other venues through the years, on May 16, 1983 he was named auxiliary bishop and titular bishop of Nepte and was consecrated a bishop June 29, the same year.

In 1986 Pople John Paul named him secretarial general of Italian bishops conference. Since 1988 has been consultor of the Congregation of Bishops.  In January 91 he was named auxiliary bishop and pro-vicar general for the Diocese of Rome. In March 91 he became president of the Italian Bishops and elevated to Cardinal in June 1991 and was named vicar general of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome and archpriest of the Basilica di San Giovanni of Laterano in July of the same year. He was also granted grand chancellor of the Lateran Universality and Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.

In addition to serving as Cardinal Vicar, Ruini served in the Roman Curia as member of the Congregation of Bishops and Pontifical Council for the Laity.  Extending his list of credits he was also named Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

Ruini was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict. He is currently serving as Chairman of the International Commission on Medjugorje.

Jozef cardinal Tomko

Jozef Tomko was born March 11, 1924, in Udavske in Czechoslovakia (now part of the Republic of Slovakia) He studied theological faculty and later studied in Rome where he obtained his doctorates in theology, canon law and social sciences.  He was ordained March 12, 1949 serving in Rome, Italy.

From 1950 to 1975 he served as vice-rector and later rector of the Pontifical Nepomucenum Collage. He taught at the International University Por Deo from 55 thus 56.  Tomko was appointed Titular Archbishop of Doclea July 1979. Tomko was appointed Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops July 1979. He was ordained Titular Archbishop of Doclea September, 1979. He was appointed Pro-Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples April 1985. He was appointed Cardinal-Deacon of Gesu Bouon Pastore alla Montagnola, May 1985. Tomko was Elevated to Cardinal May 1985 and appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples May 1985. He was appointed Cardinal-Priest of S. Sabian January 1996. The Cardinal retired Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples April 2001. At this time he was appointed President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses October 2001. Cardinal Tomko retired from the Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses October 2007.

Julian cardinal Herranz Casado

Julian Herranz Casado was born March 31, 1930 in Baena, Spain. He was ordained in August 1955. He obtained doctorates in medicine from the Universities of Barcelona and Navarra and in canon law from Angelicum in Rome. He traveled the world on behalf of Opus Dei where he also began work for the Roman Curia. He taught canon law from 62-65. Between the same years during the Second Vatican Council he also served as an assistance of study on the commissions for discipline of clergy and the Christian people. Not much research shows up until 83 where Casado is appointed Secretary of Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative texts. In December of 90 he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Vertara. Casado was ordained Bishop of Vertara Jan 1991.  He was appointed President of Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative texts 1994. Appointed Cardinal-Deacon of S. Eugenio Oct. 21, 2003 he was elevated to Cardinal on the same day. He continued this appointment till retirement Feb. 15, 2007 as President of Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative texts. The position of Interpretation of Legislative texts means Julian cardinal Herranz Casado was responsible for advising the pope on matters of Church law.

Josip cardinal Bozanic

Josip Bozanic was born in Rijeka (now Croatia) March 20, 1949. He received a Master's degree in theology at Theological Faculities. He was ordained June 1975. He served as a parish priest before furthering his studies in Rome where he earned a licentiate in dogmatic theology and a licentiate in canon law, from Pontifical Gregorian Universality and Pontifical Lateran university, respectively. In May 1989 Bozanic was appointed Coadutor Bishop of Krk. Ordained Bishop in June and succeeded November 89. Prior to this he served in Kirk as chancellor (86-87) and victor general (87-89). He receive his Episcopal consecration the follow June. He also served as Apostolic Administrator fof the Archdiocese of Rejeka-Senj and named the eighth Archbishop of Zagreb in July 1997. He also served as president of the Croatian Bishops Conference from 1997 thru 2007.  and vice president of the Council of European Bishops Conferences from 2001- 2006. Appointed Archbishop of Zagreb, Croatia in November 1989. October 21, 2003 was elevated to Cardinal and at the same time appointed Cardinal-Priest of S. Girolamo dei Corati (edgli Schivoni). With the Rome Curia he is a member of the Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Pontifical Council for the Laity and Special Council for Europe of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. Bozanic is one of the "cardinal electors" who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict, after the death of Pope John Paul.

Vinko cardinal Puljic

Vinko Puljic was born September 8, 1945 in Prijecani, in the Diocese of Banja Luka a region now called, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He completed his secondary education at the interdiocesan minor seminary of Zagreb and the minor seminary of Djakovo. He studied philosophy and theology at the major seminary of Djakovo and was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Djakovo on 29 June 1970. Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Sarajevo on 19 November 1990 and in 1991 at the tomb of St Peter in Rome ordained him Bishop on the Solemnity of the Epiphany.

Beyond academics, Puljic was considered a champion by many during the civil war in Yugoslavia in the early 1990’s. Imprisoned for a short time and placing his life in danger, Puljic was instrumental in helping thousand of refugees and exiles with assistance of the forces of the Church and people of good will. It was around this time he also began a campaign for respectful right of people regardless of race, creed or religious distinctions.

Puljic peace efforts included many meetings with politicians during the war. He also worked with religious leaders such as Muslim, Jewish and Orthodox faiths. Puljic believed there should be peace between different religions

Speaking at the 2004 assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Puljic complained the Medjugorje apparitions were becoming a source of division in the church. He was later involved in choosing the members of the 2006 Medjugorje commission which was disbanded without conclusion for reasons unknown. However it is know through U.S. State Department documents that members of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Conference of Bishops laughed at the Medjugorje apparitions. They did not believe in the apparitions even prior to the first investigation conducted by one of their own disbelievers Bishop Pavao Zanic.  Cardinal Puljic served as president of Bosnia-Herzegovina Conference of Bishops from 1995 to 2002 and again from 2005 till present 2010. 

Adam Tanner (bureau Chief in the Balkans) Reuters News Agency reported Wednesday Oct. 7, 2009 that on Tuesday Cardinal Puljic told Reuters News Agency the Vatican may soon issue firmer guidance for Catholics on the claim that the Virgin Mary has been visiting Medjugorje stating “We are now awaiting a new directive on this issue, I don’t think we must wait for a long time, I think it will be this year, but that is not clear… I am going to Rome in November and we must discuss this.”

Puljic was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal concave which selected Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI.

A firmer hand suggested the Cardinal had some knowledge which would lead to stronger measure against the Medjugorje apparitions. This in return suggested a decision of Medjugorje was completed by the Third Medjugorje Commission which Cardinal Puljik himself announced on July 24, 2006.

There are so many noble causes Puljic has supported as the few mentioned above. The above at the same time offers a strong indication that it may be possible Puljic as a negative bias against the Medjugorje apparitions.

The firmer hand the Cardinal felt so sure about against Medjugorje when visiting Rome, never happened. Though the details are not know, the third Commission was not spoken of again and on March 17, 2010 the forth “International Medjugorje Commission” was announced.

 Archbishop Angelo Amato

Archbishop Angelo Amato was born June 8, 1938 in Molfetta, Italy. He studied philosophy and theology in Rome and was ordained on December 22, 1967. Becoming a member of Salesian’s of St. John Bosco, he studies at Pontifical Salesian University specializing in Christology obtaining a doctorate in 1974.

He was a professor of dogmatics a PSU from 1981-1987 and later from 1993-1997 as dean of theology. He also served as consulter to the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith and Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and also serving as Congregation for Bishops.

On December 2002 he was appointed Secretary of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith and titular Archbishop of Sila.

Amato was the first person to receive a private audience by the new Pope Benedict after the 2005 Papal conclave. He served as Secretary of the Doctrine of Faith until July 9, 2008 when Pope Benedict appointed him prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. This position meant Amato would oversee the process of the canonization of saints preparing the case including approval of certified miracles. 

Father David-Maria Jaeger

Born of Jewish Parents in Tel Aviv Jaegar converted to Christianity and became a Franciscan Catholic priest in 1986.

He is widely credited with being the principal drafter and lead negotiator, both of the 1993 Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel, and of the 1997 "Legal Personality Agreement" between the Holy See and the State of Israel.  He is currently similarly engaged in negotiation between the Vatican and Israel on a third treaty, which is to settle, principally, the fiscal status of the Church and related matters.   Fr. Jaeger helped arrange the Pope’s pilgrimage to Israel in 2000.  In 2001, Fr. Jaeger was named as one of five members of the Franciscan Order’s Governing Body of the Custody of the Holy Land  

As the custodian for the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Fr. Jaeger was instrumental in the negotiations to resolve the 2002 hostage standoff between the Palestinians and Israelis.  Fr. Jaeger has been intimately involved in peace initiatives for Christians, Jews and Muslims in Israel for many years. In recognition of his contributions, Fr. Jaeger received a gold Papal medal from Pope John Paul II in 2002. His specialization, within his field, is in Church-State relations.

Father Salvatore Perella

Born in Naples April 16, 2953 Salvatore Perella is a priest of the Order of the Servants of Mary. He studied philosophy and theology in Naples, Florance and Rom (to marianum bacellierato and license, the Gregorian completed his doctorate in dogmatic theology. Perella has taught as a professor or dogma and Mariology at the Pontifical Theological facility Marianum of which he is vice president and coordinator. June 2008 he also became professor of the chair of dogmatic and Mariology. He served at the Potifical Universarity Academic Antonianum, the Pontifical Facility of Theology Augustinianum of Rome. Since 2000 he teaches Introduction to Theology at the Catholic University of Sacro Cuore, Faculty of Medicine “Agostino Gemelli” Rome. He taught Mariology at the Pontifical University “Urban”, Rome, and the Theological Faclty of Emilia Romagna, Bologna. He is a member of the Governing Council of the Pontifical Marian Academy Internationalis (PAMI, Vatican City) and the Italian Interdisiplinary Association Mariological (AMI, Rome, where he is vice president.

Though there are more members of the Medjugorje Commission over the past weeks 100’s of website have listed the members of the 4^th Medjugorje Commission. However they have only listed the names and did not research the biography of each member. Because there is now a flood of hundreds of websites listing only the names of the Medjugorje commission, the biography of the members is lost in a sea of information that is impossible to research. For the remaining members of the commission we are only offering what little information we could find.

Fr Pierangelo Sequeri – Italy. One of Italy’s most prominent theologians and appointed last year by Benedict XVI to serve on the International Theological Commission.

Fr Zdzislaw Josef Kijas – Poland. Another Franciscan and Secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Mary Immaculate in Rome.
Msgr Tony Anatrella – France. Psychologist and Mariologist, and a consultant to the Pontifical Council for the Family, and of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry.
 Msgr Franjo Topic – Croatia. President of the Croatian Cultural Society ‘Progress’ in Sarajevo.
Fr Mijo Nikic – Croatia. Superior of the Jesuit Order in Zagreb and a professor of religious psychology.
Fr Mihaly Szentmartoni – Serbia. Another Jesuit and a director of the Spirituality Institute at Rome’s Gregorian University. As a professor of clinical psychiatry he served on the medical committee of the previous Commission undertaken by the former Yugoslavia Bishops Conference. The medical committee of six concluded in 1988 that according to the criteria laid down by the CDF in 1978, the six ‘visionaries’ were considered mentally balanced and showed no inclination to psychotic disorder or hysteria, or other phenomenon of this kind.
Sr Nela Veronica Gaspar – Bosnia & Herzegovina. Theologian
Achim Schütz – Germany. Expert on religious phenomenon.
Msgr Krzysztof Nykiel – Poland. Served on the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care.

View all our organized articles on the Medjugorje Commissions on this page> http://www.medjugorjeusa.org/commissionsorganized.htm