Catholic World News News Feature

Fraud charges in case of "weeping" statue in Italy April 21, 2008

A former employee of Saint Lucy’s Church in Forli, Italy will go on trial for faking tears of blood on a statue of the Virgin Mary, the ANSA news service reports.

Police say that Vincenzo Di Costanzo dripped his own blood onto the face of the statue in March 2006. 'This is a case of high sacrilege,' said public prosecutor Alessandro Mancini. The ex-custodian claims he is innocent of all charges.

A group of elderly worshippers were the first to notice that red tear-like drops had appeared on the face of the Madonna two years ago, and people flocked to the church to witness the phenomenon. The news of a possible miracle was reported to the local bishop, who immediately removed the figure, replacing it with a similar one, and called the police.

The statue of the Madonna looking up to heaven, her hands drawn together in prayer, did not weep again after being moved to the bishop's office.