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Virgin Mary seen in tree stump in Limerick
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Press 22 Limerick Ireland
The tree stump at Saint Marys church, Rathkeale, Co Limerick
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As a place of worship, it’s verging on the bizarre: a tree stump in the grounds of a church in Co Limerick which many believe depicts an image of the Blessed Virgin.
So far, more than 2,000 people have signed a petition seeking to prevent the removal of the stump, while scores more have turned up to say the Rosary and light candles.
However, the local parish priest last night advised people not to worship the tree.
Fr Willie Russell said: “There's nothing there... it’s just a tree...you can’t worship a tree.”
Workmen made the discovery of the stump at the Holy Mary Parish Church in Rathkeale while cutting down trees earlier this week.
Residents organised the petition in an effort to have the tree stump, which was due to be dug out of the ground yesterday, made into a permanent fixture at the church.
According to Noel White, chairman of Rathkeale Community Council's graveyard committee, the trees were cut down because of old age and the danger they posed to the adjacent school yard.
"These trees will be replaced. However, I have given assurance that our committee will not be removing this tree stump," he said.
"Nature has a funny way of showing things up and let it be a freak of nature or something else but whatever it is, surely it is a wonderful thing to see so many people coming out to pray, especially young people who have been saying the Rosary in the church for the past few nights," he added.
"There have been queues of cars up and down the street of the town all day belonging to people who have never been here, all coming to say the Rosary and light candles.
"Maybe this is Our Lady's way of getting people back to the church."
A spokesman for the Limerick diocesan office said the "Church's response to phenomena of this type is one of great scepticism".
"While we do not wish in any way to detract from devotion to Our Lady, we would also wish to avoid anything which might lead to superstition," he said.
A temporary shrine was erected at the tree stump last night where a vigil was held.
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Comments
55 Comments
Advanced is spelt Advanced,not advanceed John,obviously you did not advance in in english at school.
Posted by glynn | 16.07.09, 03:52 GMT
has the world gone mad ????
Posted by frankie | 15.07.09, 15:08 GMT
Is the image on the stump any less believable than a virgin birth or a mysterious man who made the world?
It's funny how you all snort at each other's religions when they are all as ridiculous as the next!
Posted by Mark | 15.07.09, 14:02 GMT
There is something not quite right with the heads of anyone worhipping a tree stump.
Posted by Steve | 15.07.09, 12:16 GMT
i saw an outline of virgin mary on my toast one morning, but i was hungry!
Posted by weev | 15.07.09, 09:22 GMT
What would you expect in Limerick they all out of their heads on drugs
Posted by william cameron | 13.07.09, 17:43 GMT
There was something similar on the J Ross show a few weeks ago. A couple had found an odd shaped wotsit. They named it "Cheesus"!!!!!!
Posted by Seamus | 13.07.09, 15:19 GMT
Lol, the religious wishing to avoid anything which might lead to superstition!!!!
Posted by Andy | 13.07.09, 10:53 GMT
i have an old stained ironing board cover that looks a bit like the virgin Mary - could this be a miracle or am i just deluded?
Posted by guy wilkins | 10.07.09, 22:46 GMT
Like flies round the proverbial- unemployed atheists and an article on religion
Posted by conor | 10.07.09, 22:13 GMT
who am I to judge? I personally don't see the image
the view of the Limerick Archdiocese that NO ONE should pray to a stump (worship of idols) is true
hope though that those who really need peace a hope in these tough economic times do find prosperity and hope - at least the economy in the town of St Mary's parish church in Rathkeale (pubs, restaurants and shops selling religious statues, candles etc) is booming!
Posted by Cheryl | 10.07.09, 16:11 GMT
Equally billy If you believe in the Protestant church (or any other kind for that matter) then 'god' help all your children, for it is all nonsense designed to keep the simple minded ordinary person i.e= YOU, in line. If people like Christopher Marlowe could see this in the 16th century, surely in the 21st it must be much easier to see through the farce known as religion. Basically what you are saying is 'my form on nonsense is much better than your form of nonsense'. Hilarious stuff Billy!
Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 10.07.09, 14:21 GMT
I cant believe anyone could take this seriously. I mean come on people don't be so ridiculous. Has mankind not advanceed enough for all of us to realise how outlandish the concept is. there is no way she was a virgin! Come on people! Does look like her though.
Posted by john | 10.07.09, 13:54 GMT
I have looked and looked at the pictures and I can not see
the Virgin Mary.
Posted by Yvonne Holland | 10.07.09, 13:42 GMT
The stump is real the virgins a fake
Posted by ron54 | 10.07.09, 12:53 GMT
After reading this, I now understand the reasoning behind the Penal Laws of Ireland long ago. Tree worshipping in Limerick and Creationists in Government in Ulster. As a Southern Irish man I am glad I left the island of Ireland in 1976. At least my children can get a secular education in a grammar school in Kent
Posted by Stephen | 10.07.09, 11:05 GMT
In North Argentina, in the community of Purmamarca, locals worship this cactus with the face of Jezus for obvious reasons.
w w w .torito.nl/art/fotos/jezus
Posted by Rob | 10.07.09, 10:52 GMT
This is pathetic, to think that grown-ups can behave in this way.
The world must be having a good laugh at us!
Posted by P Crowson | 10.07.09, 10:40 GMT
Are the people of Limerick barking mad or what?
Posted by Theresa Green | 10.07.09, 09:09 GMT
Fr Willie Russell said: “There's nothing there... it’s just a tree...you can’t worship a tree.”
Class. A man who has devoted his life to silly beliefs lambasts other peoples silly beliefs.
Fr Willie Russell "Dont worship a tree, worship my book of ridiculous stories written by people who thought the world was flat"
Posted by believer | 10.07.09, 08:49 GMT
55 Comments