Pilgrims flock to church as word spreads of moving Virgin Mary statue
Acerra (AP):
Thousands of pilgrims have flocked to a church in southern Italy since word spread over the weekend that a statue of the Virgin Mary has repeatedly come to life before stunned faithful, Italian media reported.
Witnesses at first said the movement was limited to the statues leg and vest, but as the news got around more people came forward to say they had seen the statues ears and face turn to flesh, and some mentioned a bright light.
Some of the faithful tried to snap photos with their cell phones, hoping to document a miracle, the news media reported.
Expert technicians with area police on Tuesday visited the Church of St. Peter in the small town 22 kilometers (14 miles) north of Naples. They examined the statue of plaster and marble, and collected photographs and video footage from witnesses.
On request of the diocese the specialized technicians will have to view all the films in our possession, analyze every single picture frame to verify if its a trick of the light, as it seemed to me when I first looked at them,» Acerras police chief, Giuseppe Moschella, was quoted as saying by ANSA news agency.
The experts will now do the analysis and communicate the findings directly to the bishop, who will then decide whether to publicize them,» Moschella reportedly added.
Bishop Giovanni Rinaldi has said he must evaluate the testimony before considering whether to bring the case to the Vatican.
