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I am sincerely saddened by the Catholic News Herald's March 2 article about the alleged seer from Medjugorje coming to Charlotte. Until the investigation of the alleged visions in Bosnia-Hercegovina is completed, the Vatican has been explicit in its directive to all dioceses and parishes not to "lend official sanction" to the alleged events.

I do hope the investigation finds that the beloved Blessed Virgin Mary is appearing in Medjugorje – we need her and her assistance now more than ever – but there are some indications that all isn't what it should be in Medjugorje.

I urge people to stop supporting these events until the investigation has been completed, and our Holy Father Benedict XVI has made his pronouncement.

Linda Hutchinson lives in Blacksburg, S.C.

Editor's note: One good piece of advice regarding the alleged apparitions comes from Colin B. Donovan, a theology teacher, who writes online at www.ewtn.com: "No one holding an office in the Church ... may by virtue of that office lend official sanction to activities which tend to assert the supernaturality of Medjugorje, that is, to contradict the decisions made by competent local authority. Those statements speak only of pilgrimages organized under official auspices; however, common sense tells us that a conference or other activity sponsored by a diocese, parish or other Catholic institution would also be prohibited. Likewise, there could not be public veneration (cultus) of the Blessed Virgin under the title of Our Lady of Medjugorje, since this would suggest the certainty of her appearing there. ... What the Church permits. ... Catholics may go to Medjugorje. Such pilgrimages may even include priests acting as chaplains, as opposed to officially sponsoring them. Also, the Church has not suppressed discussion of Medjugorje, therefore, it is allowed. Common sense, however, says that Catholics on both sides of the Medjugorje issue should exercise prudence and charity in speaking of others who believe differently."