An Irish bishop is throwing cold water on those who are anticipating another Marian apparition in his country:

A Catholic archbishop in the west of Ireland has told pilgrims to Knock they should not look for apparitions at its shrine to the Virgin Mary.

Earlier this month, about 5,000 people gathered at the shrine after a Dublin-based clairvoyant predicted a repeat of the famous sighting of 1879.

Some claimed they could see the sun shimmering and changing colour.

But Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary said: “Such events are to be regretted rather than encouraged.” 

“It is not healthy, does not give glory to God and certainly is not good witness to the faith to be looking for extraordinary phenomena,” he said.

“The apparition of 1879 was neither sought nor expected by the humble, honest people who were its astonished witnesses,” he said. “Their faith reveals the patience and humility that characterises true belief. The Shrine of Knock is living witness to that faith. Unfortunately, recent events at the shrine obscure this essential message – they risk misleading God’s people and undermining faith. For this reason such events are to be regretted rather than encouraged.”

You can read more at the link.