I agree, Rose.  I came of age in what might be described as the zenith of Marian piety -- the 1950s -- but even then we were taught to distinguish between public and private revelation, and to understand that private revelation is not binding on Catholics.
The church consistently refuses to affirm the legitimacy of the Medjugorje 'apparitions.' This is something less than an affirmation that they are a hoax -- although the position of the local bishop seems to come pretty close to that. You are right about the huge backlash that looms over the Medjugorje situation, not least because of the huge industry that has grown up around these claims.