Eternal flowers miracle 'was hoax'

by Cristina Odone IN AN ATTEMPT to discredit a miracle which had inspired the Catholic world 4() years ago, a Mary's Church at Heaton Norris, near Stockport, attracted thousands of pilgrims who came to see the "eternal roses" on the statue of Our Lady. The roses seemed to stay fresh for months at a time, without a petal dropping.
But Arthur Clare, 60, who served as altar boy during that period, now claims that the miracle was actually a trick played by the parish priest at the time, and by a local florist.
"I've kept the secret for 38 years," said Mr Clare, "Who would have believed Art hur Clare?" At last, I have freed myself from Purgatory."
When asked to comment on Mr Clare's "confession", Fr Kevin James of St Mary's Church said: "He has done this before, for publicity. I don't think we need to give this matter too much importance."
Mr Clare, a convert to Catholicism, first served as altar boy in November 1942, at St Mary's. After a three-year stint with the Royal Artillery, Mr Clare became a salesman in Manchester. Now retired, he lives in Bramhall, near Stockport.