Pope Benedict defrocks priest connected to alleged Medjugorje apparitions

Pope Benedict XVI has approved the defrocking of Fr. Tomislav Vladic, a priest leading the claims that the Virgin Mary has been appearing in the Bosnian town of Medjugorje. The priest has reportedly decided to leave the priesthood and his religious order.

The action follows an investigation into concerns surrounding the alleged apparitions, the Mail Online reports.

When the apparitions allegedly began in 1981, Fr. Vlasic was named as the "creator" of the phenomenon by the local Bishop of Mostar-Duvno, Pavao Zanic.

During a dispute with the bishop and the Vatican, the priest had predicted that the Virgin Mary would appear in Bosnia.

Months later, six local children said they had seen the Virgin on a nearby hillside. Fr. Vlasic soon announced he had become "spiritual advisor" to the alleged visionaries. The children now claim that the Virgin Mary has visited them 40,000 times over the last 28 years.

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