Thousands of Superstitious worshipers gather as Virgin Mary set to make major statement at Irish shrine
Pastor Dale Morgan
Thousands of Superstitious worshipers gather as Virgin Mary set to make
major statement at Irish shrine*
Church moves to quash claims, saying they damage Irish Catholic faith
KELLY FINCHAM
Irish Central.com Editor
Dazzling laser light show fools the Superstitious
Thousands of Superstitious Irish people claim to have witnessed
apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the skies over Knock shrine in Co Mayo.
About 5,000 people gathered at the holy Catholic shrine earlier this
month amid a Dublin-based clairvoyant's predictions that an apparition
would appear in October.
They reported that they could see images of the Virgin Mary shimmering
in the sky as the sun danced nearby.
Another apparition has been predicted by the same clairvoyant, Joe
Coleman, for this weekend and several thousand people are expected to
make the pilgrimage to Knock.
Mr Coleman claimed: “I have seen her twice in recent months in the Gable
chapel at Knock. The statue comes alive, she opens her arms, a lovely
pink cloak comes around her, there are stars above her head, she turned
into Jesus, then to Padre Pio and then back to herself. While the vision
is happening, I can see nothing else in the chapel.
“She has told me she wants to make the biggest statement she has ever
made on this earth. Knock is the spiritual heart of Ireland.”
Now, Catholic officials have moved to clamp down on the claims saying
the faithful are in danger of being misled.
Archbishop of Tuam Dr Michael Neary has said the gatherings at the Mayo
pilgrimage site should be discouraged because they could undermine faith
in Ireland.
"Unfortunately, recent events at the shrine obscure this essential
message. They risk misleading God’s people and undermining faith," he said.
"Such events are to be regretted rather than encouraged. The shrine of
Knock will be best served by retaining its authentic identity."
"Such faith makes Knock pilgrims firm in hope and active in love for the
sick and suffering. They do not expect visions or seek further
apparitions," he said.
The shrine dates back to August 1879 when local people suposedly saw
apparitions of Our Lady, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist outside a
parish church there.