4. Theological Explanations
Given the scientific findings, religious experts were asked if the cross could have been a Sign from God. I recieved three main responses:
- If the cross is a Sign then it must obey the laws of nature
- God is everywhere and in everything, therefore the cross was of his/ her doing
- Signs can only be interpreted by those who see them (Signs are usually mysterious and not obvious)
These are quite clever answers as they offer reassurance without committing to any definite explanation. On the other hand, the Caminha Cross seems to have been an unusual event which obeyed the laws of nature, so fits the conventionally understood pattern of a Sign.
(you might be interested in applying these criteria to other photographs that have been thought by one or more people to capture religious phemonena. I have provided several links to further reference sites at the end.)
5. The Matter of the Coincidences
If we are looking for the mysterious intervention of a God then perhaps we also need to consider the other parts of the story such as:
- The coincidences; the photograph was taken on 15th August which is also the religious feast of Assumption and my birthday. The ferry crossing is overlooked by the riverside church of 'Our Lady of the Assumption'
- The strange events that occurred on the day the photograph was first viewed; the tree suddenly falling and the injury scene.
If you would like to see my interpretation then read on..
