The same year in July, the Province proposed to the Bishop that Barbarić should remain in Humac, which the Bishop approved. However, Barbarić on his own initiative returned to Medjugorje, claiming he agreed to this verbally with the Provincial Drago Tolj, due to the lack of confessors. The Episcopal Ordinariate wasn't even informed about the transfer, so Barbarić remained active without the necessary decree from the bishop. The Episcopal Ordinariate was in turmoil due to the war in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina that broke out in October 1991. In 1993, Bishop Žanić was replaced by Ratko Perić. The Ordinariate continued to communicate with Barbarić regularly, presuming that his transfer in Medjugorje was legal.