VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Catholic Church has a long and controversial history of the faithful claiming to have had visions of the Virgin Mary, of statues that purportedly wept blood tears and stigmata that erupted on hands mimicking the wounds of Christ.
On Friday, the Vatican will announce new norms to help determine whether and when these seemingly supernatural events are authentic. It’s stepping in amid a boom in claims and concern that apocalyptic prophesies are spreading online faster than ever before, causing confusion among the faithful.
When confirmed as authentic by church authorities, these otherwise inexplicable divine signs can lead to a flourishing of the faith, with new religious vocations and conversions. That has been the case for the purported apparitions of Mary that turned Fatima, Portugal and Lourdes, France into enormously popular pilgrimage destinations.
FIFA to seek legal advice on a Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer
New Jersey deadbeat dad's final sickening act as strangers fought to save his six
Prada focuses generational transition on artisans, expanding production and workforce in Italy
Police launch probe after man in his 20s found shot behind the wheel of a locked car
Pictured: Terror suspect, 35, arrested over failure to disclose 'Isis
US's largest public utility ignores warnings in moving forward with new natural gas plant
Shakib returns to Bangladesh squad for final two T20 matches against Zimbabwe
Is THIS Britain's most expensive pastry? Kensington bakery is selling super