Persian

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this thread, I apologize for any inconvenience.

I have heard that the body of Saint Bernadette is still very fresh and many Catholics consider it to be a miracle. Is there a particular natural reason behind this? Is it totally a hoax?

Thanks

lenrek

You mean this one:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Bernadette

Not sure how true is this...

Huon

I have heard that the body of Pharaoh Ramses II is still very fresh and nobody consider it to be a miracle, even in Egypt.

skepticalbip

I think the difference is that the preservation of Ramses II could be compared to the preservation of beef jerky and, from what I understand, Bernadette’s preservation could be more closely compared to canned spam.

Cat59

The Wikepedia entry is more or less correct. A more detailed account of the exhumation process and what was found and a possible explanation is found here. A less sceptical approach,but containing more detail about the exhumation from the doctors who attended is here. The body was placed in a lead lined coffin in a vault, rather than buried in the earth, which may have resulted in an enviroment that resulted in natural mummification. Once exhumed and washed, deterioration started. When viewing the body now, most people fail to realise there is a wax mask and covering on the face and hands, placed after the second exhumation. So it is not a hoax, although it is slightly misleading to present perfect preservation as occuring. The body did not decay, which is unusual, however there are rational explanations for the phenomeneon observed.

Garnet

Canned spam? Eeeeewwwwwwwwwww.

Nialler

Aye. I was entirely convinced about the miraculous nature of Lourdes. In particular when I read that the Lourdes Bureau had investigated the "miracles" that had seemingly happened in the area which attracts lots of tourism and which boosts the local economy.

Cat59

I'm a member of the Lourdes Medical Association.
Wonder if I have to hand my badge back now I've deconverted? Especially as it states "Credo"- I believe- on it. I am due to go there in April too. Anyway, taking into account that several million people travelled to Lourdes since 1960, there have been a total of 4 "inexplicable" cures in that time.
The current bureau is quite sceptical in their examination of cures and there have been no cures recognised since 1987.

leonarde

I'm totally unable to follow this: the 'Lourdes Medical Association' is evidently a Manchester UK healthcare provider. Aside from the name 'Lourdes' what does it have to do with the "Lourdes Medical Bureau" which is, well, in Lourdes, France? For it is the latter which judges alleged cures, miraculous or not. Something rather ODD about this post!

Cat59

Ok, I go on pilgrimage to Lourdes each year and as a medic, registered with the Lourdes Bureau the first time I went. You get a cool badge with the word "Credo" on it and a newsletter every few months, for which you pay an annual fee. You can also, if you wish, attend any meetings that happen while in Lourdes there at the bureau (I've never had time). The full name is the International Lourdes Medical Association (AMIL in French). The body that judges the cures though is made up of specalists and not minor fishes in the sea like myself...
ETA
link to info on AMIL
link to explain the process by which cures are examined
I hope this makes my post seem less odd....