Check out the CURRENT EVENTS page for more info on what the Pope is doing!

art18

100,000 flock to be deceived by "Mary"

Weekend News Today
By Andra Brack
Source: BBC

Wed Oct 14 , 1998 -- Deputy Chad Fry of Rockdale police: "People claim to have seen the Virgin Mary in the sky" It was to be the last such message to be delivered by a 47-year-old local woman who claims to have been receiving them for many years.

"My dear children, I have come to be with you today as your loving mother to instruct you," Mrs Nancy Fowler, a former nurse, told the crowd reading from her hand-written notes. "Children, please live your life in full union with God. It is most pleasing to God when you imitate him." The message also urged followers to "pray against the evils of this day" and shun materialism. "Today my Lady has come for the last time in this way," she said after reciting the message. "We will not be able to see "Mary" again in this way until we are in heaven."

The gathering was one of those events where the certainties of faith overcome the claims of reason and, in this case, also the dissuasions of local Roman Catholic leaders who doubt the authenticity of these messages. But seeking revelations, comforts and cures, tens of thousands, many of them from Latin America, wended their way by car and coach to the farm in rural Georgia.

It is there that Mrs Fowler claims that Jesus once appeared to her, and even blessed her water-well. The pilgrims have not been shaken by the discovery in the well-water of food poisoning bacteria - and each year since then she has delivered a message. Last year she announced, or as she put it, she understood from "Mary", that this year's message would be the last. No explanation was offered, though it is thought that Nancy Fowler is moving to Florida. Her neighbours will not be displeased. Local authorities have threatened to declare the event a public nuisance.