Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Disease, Miracle, Supernaturalism, Superstition, Religious Authority

    Discusses a report in the Journal de Liège of the crowning of 'The Miraculous Statue of the Virgin Jessy' in Liège, a statue whose transportation allegedly spared the town from the ravages of cholera and cattle plague. Stresses that the journal dismissed the possibility that the apparent miracle was caused by the local church fathers who wanted to spread 'error and superstition' and 'more securely establish their influence'. Notes that the 'facts of the case' militate against this, since the procession of the statue was followed by several fatal cases of cholera and cattle-plague. Concludes by expressing surprise at the revelation that the town council had supported and patronised the church fathers in their 'fetichism'.