Archbishop enters row over Knock 'sun miracle'
Tuesday October 27 2009
AN unholy row has broken out between a Catholic archbishop and a group of pilgrims over claims of "supernatural events" at Our Lady's Shrine in Knock.
Dozens argue they witnessed the sun dancing in the sky after they flocked to see an apparition of the Virgin Mary. They insist they saw the sun shimmer on October 11 outside the old parish church -- the scene of the reported 1879 apparition.
But yesterday the Archbishop of Tuam discredited this notion, arguing the event could risk "misleading God's people and undermining faith".
Joe Coleman, a psychic who had predicted the event, argued that what happened was similar to the 'Miracle of the Sun' at the Portuguese shrine of Fatima.
Dr Neary made the rebuke yesterday evening and said such events were "to be regretted rather than encouraged".
But Mr Coleman insisted that thousands had witnessed the event. "I am not surprised at Dr Neary's statement. I am deeply disappointed," he said. Dr Neary could not be contacted for further comment last night.
Irish Independent
