Reports of bleeding crucifix bring pilgrims to Alaskan church

Published: 2004-05-11

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNS) -- Reports that a crucifix started bleeding from classic stigmata points has drawn visitors to a remote Alaskan village church. Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Marshall, an Eskimo village of about 360 people, has been abuzz since the Easter Vigil, when a group of parishioners say the church's main crucifix began to bleed from the feet, hands and side. Anna Polty, 73, claims she saw something happening to the crucifix during the April 10 Easter Vigil. And after the vigil, when the parishioners were downstairs having a snack, Polty's friend, Sophie Shorty, whispered in her ear that the crucifix was starting to bleed. Bishop Donald J. Kettler of Fairbanks, whose diocese includes Marshall, sent a representative to check out the crucifix a few days after Easter. He said the representative "looked carefully and couldn't see any changes." But, the bishop added, that report does not mean that nothing happened. "As long as people are using it to strengthen their faith and are staying within the message of Jesus Christ, we can see it as a blessing, whatever it is," he said.

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