Archbishop dismisses Knock ‘apparitions’
Ed West

30 October 2009

A pilgrim prays at the shrine in Knock, Ireland (AP Photo)

A senior Irish archbishop has told pilgrims not to look for fresh apparitions at the Marian shrine in Knock.

Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam spoke out after 5,000 people gathered at the shrine earlier this month looking for a repeat of the famous sighting of 1879, following the advice of Dublin clairvoyant Joe Coleman, who predicted the Virgin Mary would appear.

Dozens of people said they witnessed the sun "dancing in the sky", shimmering and changing colour after they flocked to see an apparition of the Virgin Mary. They insisted that on October 11 they saw the sun moving outside the old parish church where Our Lady was seen in 1879.

But Archbishop Neary said: "Such events are to be regretted rather than encouraged. It is not healthy, does not give glory to God and certainly is not good witness to the faith to be looking for extraordinary phenomena."

The village in County Mayo remains popular with pilgrims who visit the site where Mary, Joseph and St John are said to have appeared 130 years ago. But it was Pope John Paul II's visit in 1979 that brought Knock to international attention. In 1986 an airport opened, the culmination of a long campaign by parish priest Mgr James Horan, who raised millions from various sources to upgrade facilities at the shrine.

The archbishop said: "Knock is a much-loved place of pilgrimage and prayer. For 130 years now the pilgrims to Knock have been pilgrims in faith. This is their great blessing, the blessing in fact that Jesus mentions to the doubting Thomas: 'They have not seen and still they believe.'

"Such faith makes Knock pilgrims firm in hope and active in love for the sick and suffering. They do not expect visions or seek further apparitions. God has manifested Himself in Jesus Christ and His people have responded ever since. It is not healthy, does not give glory to God and certainly is not good witness to the faith to be looking for extraordinary phenomena.

"The apparition of 1879 was neither sought nor expected by the humble, honest people who were its astonished witnesses. Their faith reveals the patience and humility that characterises true belief. The Shrine of Knock is living witness to that faith.

"Unfortunately, recent events at the shrine obscure this essential message. They risk misleading God's people and undermining faith. The shrine of Knock will be best served by retaining its authentic identity."

Thousands made the trip earlier this month after Mr Coleman, who claims to have seen regular visions of Our Lady since 1986, made his claims on the television channel RTÉ. During the gathering, there were ripples of applause from the crowd when some people said they could see the sun shimmering, changing colour and dancing in the sky.

Many people claimed to have witnessed strange phenomena in the sky between 3.17pm and 3.24pm on the day, with various photos and images appearing in the Sunday newspapers.

The crowds waited in the open air despite an invitation on loudspeaker from Knock parish priest Mgr Joseph Quinn to enter the adjacent basilica and participate in ceremonies to mark the annual Dominican pilgrimage.

Archbishop Neary issued his statement after Mr Coleman predicted another "spiritual awakening" would take place at the shrine on October 31. The psychic, who describes himself as "an acclaimed visionary", argued that what happened was similar to the "Miracle of the Sun" at the Portuguese shrine of Fatima in 1917.

After the archbishop's comments Mr Coleman insisted that thousands had witnessed the event.

"I am not surprised at Dr Neary's statement. I am deeply disappointed," he said.

He said that since the events he had been contacted by thousands of people who had witnessed these events, including business professionals, priests, ordinary people and pilgrims from abroad.

"Many of these people have photos, videos ... images are even on YouTube ... and yet the people who disbelieve the most are the clergy." Mr Coleman predicted that up to 10,000 people would arrive on October 31 and added that he had received a message from Our Lady urging "all her children to go to Confession and get reconciliation from her son, Jesus".

He told the Mayo News newspaper: "I have seen her twice in recent months in the Gable chapel at Knock.

The statue comes alive, she opens her arms, a lovely pink cloak comes around her, there are stars above her head, she turned into Jesus, then to Padre Pio and then back to herself. While the vision is happening, I can see nothing else in the chapel.

"She has told me she wants to make the biggest statement she has ever made on this earth. Knock is the spiritual heart of Ireland."