The window pane at a Malaysian hospital that has drawn throngs of
Catholics who see on it an image resembling the Virgin Mary will be
moved to a church, officials said on Tuesday.Hundreds of Catholics have gathered in prayer and worship at the Sime Darby Medical Centre (SDMC) just outside the capital Kuala Lumpur since last week after seeing the image on one of the windows.
Rev. Simon Labrooy, the priest of nearby St. Thomas More Parish, said in a statement that the hospital's management in a meeting with him had agreed to give the glass panel to the Catholic Church.
He said the panel would be moved to another church outside Kuala Lumpur, Marian Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Klang, "which will be more conducive for prayer and reflection".
"The Catholic Church is in agreement with SDMC that the present situation cannot continue as we are concerned of the direct effect this may have on emergency services of SDMC," he said in the statement.
"We assure the community that the image will be handled in the most respectful and sensitive manner," he said, adding that "professional services" would be deployed to ensure there is no damage to the glass during removal and transport."
The Catholic Church still needs to test the image and have theologians and church authorities confirm its authenticity, he said. He gave no time frame for this process or the glass panel's removal.
A SDMC official confirmed the panel would be moved but declined to comment further.
Pictures of the image on the seventh-floor window have gone viral on Facebook, drawing Christians from as far away as neighbouring Singapore with many describing it as a miracle.
People who assembled over the weekend said they could also see an image of an adult Jesus Christ just two windows away from his mother.
About nine per cent of Malaysia's 29 million people are Christians.
Some 60 per cent are Muslims.