MALE JOAN OF ARC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 21

MALE JOAN OF ARC

Thousands of pilgrims from all parts of Rumania are flocking to the village of Maglavit, half a day’s journey ' from Bucharest, to listen to the words of a shepherd who claims to have had a miraculous vision while tending his sheep. Convinced that a masculine Joan of Are has been discovered, the Metropolite of tlie district has ordered a church to be built on the spot where the shepherd claims to have seen the vision. At present the place is marked with a high wooden cross. To the great indignation of the populace, while money is pouring in from all parts of the country for the new church, a city doctor, accompanied by two detectives for protection, has made his appearance. The shepherd, Petreche Lupu, a stalwart young man under 30, has been asked to undergo a medical examination. Medical science is eager to investigate the case. Many city people, including scores of newspaper correspondents, have visited the shepherd, and it appears that he has made a profound impression on them all. He has become the preacher of the village, the local priest having become a disciple. While the sceptical are eagerly awaiting the investigation of medical science, money and pilgrims continue to pour into the village.