Fr. Slavko Barbarić, OFM, was born near Međugorje in 1946. He was ordained a priest in 1971. He studied philosophy and pastoral theology in Sarajevo and Schwaz (Austria) and obtained his master's degree in 1973 in Graz, Austria. He gained his doctorate in religious education in 1982 in Freiburg, Germany. Fr. Slavko began working with the pilgrims in Međugorje in January 1982. He conducted numerous retreats and tirelessly spoke about the events of Međugorje all over the world. He wrote many articles for various publications and is the author of many books on the spirituality of Međugorje. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages. Fr. Slavko died on November 24, 2000, at 3.30pm, on Mount Križevac (Cross Mountain) in Međugorje, after having prayed the Stations of the Cross with the parishioners.