Formerly a Franciscan priest, he had already been laic in 2009, but he continued his apostolic activities.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith excommunicated the former priest Tomislav Vlasic, as announced on October 23 by the diocese of Brescia, in Italy, territory in which the former Franciscan continued to exercise certain apostolic activities, although having was reduced to a secular state in 2009.
In March 2009, Benedict XVI signed a decree reducing to a lay state the Franciscan Tomislav Vlasic, spiritual director of the seers of Medjugorje. He had asked to be released from his priestly functions after the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith opened an investigation against him in 2008 “for dissemination of questionable doctrine, manipulation of consciences, suspicious mysticism, disobedience to legitimate orders” and for adultery. as well.
On July 15, 2020, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a decree of excommunication against the former Croatian cleric and forwarded it a week later to the Bishop of Brescia, the diocese in which the former priest continued, against the advice of Rome, certain pastoral activities.
“Unfortunately, over the years, Mr. Vlasic has never respected the prohibitions imposed on him in the canonical penal precept issued against him by the same Congregation on March 10, 2009”, reads the press release from the diocese of Brescia .
“He continued to carry out his apostolic activities with individuals and groups, both through conferences and through computer means; he continued to declare himself a religious and priest of the Catholic Church, simulating the celebration of invalid sacraments; he continued to cause a serious scandal among the faithful, committing acts seriously prejudicial to ecclesiastical communion and obedience to ecclesiastical authority, ”the document continues.
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By this excommunication, Rome forbids him, among other things, to receive the sacraments. In the event that “Mr. Vlasic” tries to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist, “the liturgical action must be interrupted, unless a serious cause is opposed”, specifies the Congregation.
The Franciscan of the time had spiritually accompanied the six “visionary” children of Medjugorje, located in Bosnia-Herzegovina. While the Church has never commented on the alleged Marian apparitions, the first of which dates back to June 1981, in May 2019, the Vatican authorized the faithful to go there on pilgrimage.
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