Blind faith

AROUND 50 people in India’s Kottayam region are reported to have been blinded as result of staring into the sun in the hope of glimpsing the Virgin Mary

According to a report in the Telegraph alarmed health authorities in the district were forced set up a sign dispelling rumours of a miraculous image in the sky, and warning of the dangers of looking into direct sunlight.

Despite warnings, believers are still apparently flocking to a hotelier’s house in Erumeli near where the ‘divine’ image allegedly appeared.

Those blinded as a result of photochemical burns on the retina were treated at St Joseph’s ENT and Eye hospital in the region.

Dr Annamma James Isaac, the hospital’s ophthalmologist said:

All our patients have similar history and symptoms – They have developed photochemical, not thermal, burns after continuously gazing at the sun.

Churches in the area disowned the miracle after health officers and doctors approached the clergy.

The house where the miracle is said to have occurred has apparently been the subject of “miracle” rumours for months.

The hotelier, who has since moved, had claimed that statues of the Virgin Mary in his house been crying honey and bleeding oils and perfumes.