INTRODUCTION
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Medjugorje. Its purpose is to explain the background to, and give a simple, unvarnished account of what is happening in Medjugorje, using authentic sources. The booklet places Medjugorje geographically and historically; it gives a brief overview as well as a narrative account of the reported events. It describes the place and purpose of apparitions, visions and dreams and private revelation - within the Church tradition. It explains the Church’s current position over Medjugorje, and how this should guide the individual. It displays the fruits coming out of Medjugorje and talks a bit about the so-called visionaries. It summarises the intent of the ‘messages’ as reported by the visionaries. It gives a personal ‘taster’ of what the pilgrim may expect ‘on the ground’ once having arrived there, and tenders the accepted guidance to those who may be contemplating pilgrimage to Medjugorje. The booklet seeks neither to persuade nor dissuade, simply to inform. Use of terms In doing so, however, some clarification needs to be made over the use of language when describing the ‘events’, ‘messages’, ‘apparitions’, ‘visionaries’, ‘secrets’, ‘locutionists’, and the like. When referring to these words the reader will also have noticed the deliberate linkage with such terms as ‘reported’, ‘alleged’, ‘supposed’ and ‘so-called’. For whilst in 1991 the Church ruled on events