Knock Apparition, Co. Mayo, Ireland 2009

Thousands of people attending Knock Shrine in Mayo in the hope of seeing an apparition of Our Lady.

The large turnout at Knock Shrine in County Mayo is due to claims by Joe Coleman and Keith Henderson, two Dublin based spiritual healers, that Our Lady would appear.

Shortly after 3.00 pm, the sun broke through the clouds and many people affirmed they saw it change in colour and that it danced in the sky.

The sun more or less moved as if it was coming towards you and danced in the sky and then a black ring spun around the sun like as if it was the host in the sky.

Another woman saw the sun spinning around and coming close, but she is reluctant believe it was an apparition.

Who’s to know that isn’t the climate change or something like that causing that.

Inside the Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland, Joe Coleman led prayers and claimed the Blessed Virgin appeared to him. He said he would reveal the message she gave him in time.

A sceptical woman does not believe Our Lady appeared to Joe Coleman.

I wouldn’t believe a word of it.

The Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary is critical of the recent alleged apparitions. He said they were not healthy, did not give glory to God and it was not good witness to the faith to be looking for extraordinary phenomena.

The Knock apparition in 1879 was neither sought nor expected by the humble people who witnessed it.

The archbishop said events such as the one at Knock Shrine were bringing the message of Knock into disrepute.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 October 2009. The reporter is Teresa Mannion.