Church investigates Sibonga ‘miracle’

CEBU Archdiocese Episcopal Vicar Msgr. Esteban Binghay said that the church is looking into claims of a “miracle” in Sibonga town in southern Cebu.

“They call it miracle. But not all strange things are miracles,” Binghay said in cautioning the faithful against premature conclusions..

He said he has yet to receive a report by Our Lady of the Pilar parish priest of Sibonga about the circumstances surrounding an religious image of the Virgin Mary owned by Gloria Fernandez of barangay Papan, Sibonga.

The icon was said to be excreting an oil-like moisture.

Grandchildren of Fernandez also claimed to have witnessed the image turn from pink to blue.

Sibonga parish priest Fr. Leo Cabahug recently attended a meeting of the archdiocese but did not mention any miraculous image, according to Binghay.

The Sibonga incident followed another report last month wherein the likeness of the face of Jesus Christ appeared in a market wall in Danao City, drawing many curious onlookers.

The archdiocese, whoever, said the Danao incident was odd but not a miracle.

The importance of identifying the meaning and message of these strange occurrence must be understood, said Binghay.

He he emphasized how God favors ordinary people citing the Virgin Mary’s apparition in Fatima to peasant children.

“Just like the The Lady’s apparition in Fatima. People were barred from going to the mountain. But since it came from the Lord, the message of conversion endured and persisted. The Lord appears to simple people,” Binghay said.

He said people “long” for miracles but must not consider every strange occurrence an example.

“With due respect to these people, let us wait for the report,” Binghay appealed. He said a church inquiry could take two months to a year./Correspondent Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua