The Tears That Weren't Divine: Church Delivers Stinging Verdict on Weeping Virgin Mary Statue

For years, a small town north of Rome has been the epicentre of a captivating, and often contentious, spiritual phenomenon. Trevignano Romano became a pilgrimage site for believers drawn by the extraordinary claims of Gisella Cardia: a Virgin Mary statue in her possession was said to be weeping tears of olive oil.

Now, after an exhaustive investigation, the Catholic Church has weighed in, delivering a definitive and sobering verdict that shatters the hopes of many who believed they were witnessing a divine miracle.

Bishop Marco Salvi of Civita Castellana, under whose jurisdiction Trevignano Romano falls, issued a decree declaring the alleged events to be of "non-supernatural origin." This means that the Church, after meticulous examination, found no evidence to suggest that the weeping statue or other phenomena associated with Cardia stemmed from a divine source.

The decision draws a firm line under years of speculation, devotion, and considerable controversy.

The saga began when Cardia, who also claimed to experience stigmata and receive messages from the Virgin Mary, started drawing crowds to a hilltop in Trevignano Romano. Pilgrims would gather, seeking solace, healing, and a glimpse of the weeping statue.

However, as the faithful flocked, so too did scrutiny. Reports emerged of other statues allegedly weeping blood, and Cardia herself faced accusations of financial irregularities and misleading her followers.

The Church's decree is not just a theological statement; it carries significant practical implications.

It strictly prohibits priests and other clergy from participating in any celebrations, masses, or sacraments related to Cardia's alleged visions and miracles. Furthermore, it explicitly advises believers not to attend events associated with the claims, discouraging financial support and urging them to cease spreading information about the alleged phenomena as if they were authentic.

This ruling brings to a close a tumultuous chapter that saw families divided and communities gripped by the unfolding drama.

While some fervent believers may struggle to accept the Church's findings, the decree serves as a powerful reminder of the rigorous standards applied when evaluating claims of the miraculous. It underscores the Church's cautious approach to such phenomena, prioritizing discernment and careful investigation over immediate acceptance.

For Trevignano Romano, the tears of olive oil have dried, replaced by the stark reality of an official declaration, urging a return to conventional faith rather than extraordinary claims.