Speaking in an April 18 interview with the Franciscan-run Custodia magazine, Fusarelli said after a recent visit to the region that the members of the Franciscan order living in the Holy Land were "better than I thought," despite the current circumstances.

He said his first words to friars living in the region were, "Please, brothers, stay here."

"Many are going away, from both the peoples of this land. Even the Christians are leaving. We are remaining. Of course, we do not have our families or our children here, perhaps it is easier for us. But staying here is a very great sign," he said.

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But a National Catholic Register article stated that this remains a hypothesis among others currently under consideration.

In a note to journalists on July 4, Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said "in recent days rumours have been circulating about the possible appointment of an apostolic administrator for the Medjugorje shrine".

Such an administrator would "report directly to the Holy See".

Such a possibility is a "hypothetical subject for study among others", Fr Lombardi said.

He added "there has still been no decision" about it.

"And so it is premature to speak of it as a direction already taken, or as an imminent decision."

Over the past few days, reports in Croatian media have claimed that Pope Francis would soon appoint a special administrator of the Holy See for Medjugorje, possibly taking over in the next few months.

The establishment of a special shrine at Medjugorje would appear to signal Vatican approval for the authenticity of the many reported apparitions there.

This would also theoretically remove the site of the reported Marian apparitions from the control of both the Franciscans who administer the local parish and the bishops who have cautioned strongly against the "Medjugorje phenomenon".

The friars would lose their autonomy in decision-making over the shrine.

But they would not have to continue battling the local bishop, as they have done for 35 years.

More than a year ago, a special commission created by the Vatican to investigate the Medjugorje phenomenon delivered its report to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Last June, Fr Lombardi told reporters that he expected an announcement on the subject from the CDF within "a few months."

Sources

• National Catholic Register
• Catholic World News
• Image: Croatia Experience

Charged for endangering the welfare of children and criminal conspiracy were Giles A. Schinelli, 73, Robert J. D'Aversa, 69, and Anthony M. Criscitelli, 61.

All three served as provincial superiors of the Franciscan friars.

"These men knew there was a child predator in their organization," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane.

"Their silence resulted in immeasurable pain and suffering for so many victims. These men turned a blind eye to the innocent children they were trusted to protect," Kane added.

The attorney general said the the Franciscan superiors did not report any allegations against its members to police, choosing "silence over children's safety."

On March 1, a 147-page grand jury report said at least 50 priests and religious leaders within the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese in the United States had committed child sex abuse and several diocese leaders had reportedly worked to keep the allegations under wraps.

The charges against the Franciscans represent one of the broadest-ever drives to hold Roman Catholic higher-ups to account in any American criminal court for the sexual abuse of minors by those under their supervision. And they're the first religious-order superiors to face such charges.

To date, only a Missouri bishop and a Philadelphia monsignor have been convicted of cover-up-related charges, with the latter on appeal.

The Franciscan friars issued a statement saying they were "deeply saddened" by the news.

Sources

The Wall Street Journal
WCBC Radio
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Image: AP/The Wall Street Journal