26. It is widely known that Our Lady is reported to have appeared to Saint Bernadette at Lourdes. Who provided the main opposition to the establishment of the shrine at Lourdes?
From Quiz Our Lady Help of Christians
Answer:
the French authorities
This happened in 1858 in France. During the time that the visions were being reported and just afterwards, the French authorities tried to close the shrine, eventually deeming it an illegal place to worship. Their attempts failed. The local people ignored this warning, even when the site was declared unsanitary (the apparitions were reported in a place used, inter alia, as a garbage dump, and the spring of water being used for cures came from this ground), people kept coming to the site. They broke down barriers erected by the authorities. When the Governess of Napoleon's children arrived and saw the State's attempts to blockade the shrine, things changed. She reported back to Napoleon and the blockade of the shrine was lifted (it is believed that one of Napoleon's children was cured by water from a spring Mary had created at the shrine. That is why the Governess had ventured to go there). Even today masses of miracles, arising from Mary's spring, are reported, both of a spiritual and a physical nature. Very few in comparison are recognized as proven by the Roman Catholic Church. Often people appreciate the miracles, but do not want to go through strenuous tests of authenticity. On other occasions, however, when missing thigh bones are miraculously replaced etc., the proof is too obvious to be ignored by the Roman Catholic church. The Roman Catholic Church are clearly very aware of powerful sectors in society who will ridicule any false claims of miracles. The shrine is still predominantly Roman Catholic only. Mary has been reported appearing many times in France, and the French State seems to recognize the right to pray in Lourdes and other shrines.