Virgin Mary statue oozes oil
2001-01-07 14:49
Beirut - Oil has been oozing from a miniature statue of the Virgin Mary by
the coastal entrance to northern Beirut, sparking a religious
fervour.
The faithful have arrived en masse since Friday, clutching candles and crucifixes in hand and chanting blessings. They have also
stopped their cars on the road in order to witness the miracle,
creating a traffic jam in the process. Pulling up, some have even
installed loud speakers on their vehicles' bonnets in order to
blare prayers.
The 30cm high (one-foot tall) statue shows traces of oil
on the edges of the Virgin's hands and on her blue cloak. Since the
statue started to ooze oil, it has been guarded by city employees.
Non-believers are not allowed to enter the area where the statue is housed in a small shelter.
A priest, who requested anonymity, told AFP that some of the oil
has been taken away for analysis.
But the priest refused to call the event a miracle. "It is a long
process of investigation to certify a miracle," he said, adding the
investigation had not left its earliest stage. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA