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Scientific investigations

Daria Klanac : Several multidisciplinary groups of doctors[30] carried out a serious investigation of the events in Medjugorje, in particular, Dr. Henri Joyeux. Does the church attach any value to scientific expertise, investigations, and conclusions?

Arnaud Dumouch : Absolutely! In fact, that is an essential standard of measure (associated with No. 3: the Standard for miracles), that will precede a final judgement. However, the Church has a precise manner of evaluating such manifestations: ecstasy, visions, stigmata, (the wounds of Christ), levitation, etc. are simply not enough for a final determination since those are only unusual manifestations (and not miracles); in other words, in and of themselves, they can have multiple causes (according to circumstances): God, angels, demons, psychosis, etc.

Here is the difference between unusual manifestations and miracles: unusual manifestations have a natural cause (psychological or scientific). Unusual manifestations do not conflict with natural laws. For example: a cancer that is gradually cured in three months; Empress Sissi, who, thanks to her good moral character, is cured of tuberculosis. Manifestations of telepathy, telekinesis, spiritism, it would seem, are a sign of angelic existence (evil angels).

A miracle, as opposed to an unusual manifestation, can be attributed only to God. It conflicts with the fundamental laws of physics and biology. It always presupposes an infinite power that transcends the power of both angels’ and men’s intellects.

The following are examples of miracles that violate the laws of nature:

– The first principle of nature: Nothing is lost, noting is gained, everything simply changes its state. The cure of Yvonne Fretel, in Lourdes, who sees her intestines suddenly appear to her in a heap (because of intestinal cancer, a great portion of her intestines were removed).

– The Principle of Inertia: No physical movement can be instantaneous: The cure of Yvonne Fretel in Lourdes wherein she saw her bowels returning.

– The second law of thermodynamics: Every isolated body loses energy: Martha Robin did not eat or drink anything for forty years. This is contrary to the laws of physics and biology.

The resurrection of the dead, who are in the process of decay, is the greatest miracle from a biological point of view. For theology, however, that is a typical example of a miracle. Jesus worked such a miracle so as to reveal to the Jewish theologians His Divine commission. Lazarus could not have been resurrected by some unusual satanic manifestation: only God could resurrect him.

30. Cf. Supplement III : Expert Teams of Diagnosticians. [↩]

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