http://iafrica.com/news/sa/985891.htm
Wed, 20 Jun 2007
Benoni visionary Francesca Zackey was handling criticism of her ministry "very well", her mother Perit Zackey said on Wednesday.
Zackey has come under fire for allegedly instructing the devout to look into the sun to see the Virgin Mary.
The 17-year-old has been inundated with people seeking prayer and healing since she claimed to have started seeing visions of the Virgin Mary some weeks ago.
These visions are the subject of an investigation by the Catholic Church.
Francesca was "happy", her mother said late on Wednesday afternoon.
She said her daughter was not home and that she had stopped granting media interviews.
It is understood that Zackey has been "gagged" by the church.
"She is carrying on with her prayers," said her mother who refused to even come to the gate of the family's home in Alphen Park, in Benoni.
A computer generated, laminated notice was attached to the pedestrian gate.
Between two images of the Virgin Mary, it read "Greetings family and friends.
"Thank you for visiting the home of 'Our Lady of the Ray.
"Please note the following times for prayer and spiritual healing: Monday and Wednesday 3pm until 5pm and 7pm until 9pm, Saturday 2pm to 6pm.
Thank you and God bless you, Francesca."
There were three cars parked within the gates. Another two were parked in the street opposite the house.
Security guards at the boomed entrances to the suburb were still directing motorists to the house.
The SA Council of Churches (SACC) on Tuesday expressed doubt over claims by the teenager that she had seen the Virgin Mary.
"I doubt it very much... We know that people in desperate situations search for answers from God. The God that we know reveals himself in a meaningful manner," said SACC general secretary Eddie Makue.
"Has this girl seen the Virgin Mary before? How did she know what she looks like?"
Zackey reportedly advised a Gauteng woman, Amal Nassif (37), earlier to look at the sun, and if she had faith, the Virgin Mary would appear.
Nassif stared at the sun for about a minute and lost her sight.
"I can't seen anything. There is a large dark blind spot," she was quoted as saying.
Wed, 20 Jun 2007
Benoni visionary Francesca Zackey was handling criticism of her ministry "very well", her mother Perit Zackey said on Wednesday.
Zackey has come under fire for allegedly instructing the devout to look into the sun to see the Virgin Mary.
The 17-year-old has been inundated with people seeking prayer and healing since she claimed to have started seeing visions of the Virgin Mary some weeks ago.
These visions are the subject of an investigation by the Catholic Church.
Francesca was "happy", her mother said late on Wednesday afternoon.
She said her daughter was not home and that she had stopped granting media interviews.
It is understood that Zackey has been "gagged" by the church.
"She is carrying on with her prayers," said her mother who refused to even come to the gate of the family's home in Alphen Park, in Benoni.
A computer generated, laminated notice was attached to the pedestrian gate.
Between two images of the Virgin Mary, it read "Greetings family and friends.
"Thank you for visiting the home of 'Our Lady of the Ray.
"Please note the following times for prayer and spiritual healing: Monday and Wednesday 3pm until 5pm and 7pm until 9pm, Saturday 2pm to 6pm.
Thank you and God bless you, Francesca."
There were three cars parked within the gates. Another two were parked in the street opposite the house.
Security guards at the boomed entrances to the suburb were still directing motorists to the house.
The SA Council of Churches (SACC) on Tuesday expressed doubt over claims by the teenager that she had seen the Virgin Mary.
"I doubt it very much... We know that people in desperate situations search for answers from God. The God that we know reveals himself in a meaningful manner," said SACC general secretary Eddie Makue.
"Has this girl seen the Virgin Mary before? How did she know what she looks like?"
Zackey reportedly advised a Gauteng woman, Amal Nassif (37), earlier to look at the sun, and if she had faith, the Virgin Mary would appear.
Nassif stared at the sun for about a minute and lost her sight.
"I can't seen anything. There is a large dark blind spot," she was quoted as saying.
