Virgin Mary statue 'crying tears of blood' is being investigated by church officials

A statue of the Virgin Mary which has apparently begun crying tears of blood is being investigated by church officials in Mexico.

The statue shows Mary in her guise as Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of five visions of her said to have been revealed to a peasant called Juan Diego and his uncle Juan Bernardino in the 1500s.

Its startled owners, a family in Morelia, in the state of Michoacan, contacted Catholic officials when it apparently started to shed dark red tears from its eyes on June 2.

Photographs of the statue appear to show it with dark streaks running down her cheeks as if she had been crying blood. The sign is believed to be a divine message by believers of the original apparitions although local church officials urged worshippers not to get carried away.

The statue is now being investigated by the Catholic Church

Many people have flocked to see the statue

It has led to many people including the family where the incident has happened to call it a miracle with people flocking to see the statue. "I felt a sensation that I haven’t felt before, like a joy but also a real sadness because she is telling us, what will happen only she knows, it is a miracle and hopefully it is a miracle that is good for everyone, said neighbour Saul Anguiano, reported local media.

The Archdiocese of Morelia said in a statement that it will carry out a detailed study into the case and is not so far commenting on whether or not it is a miracle. "In response to the recent widespread attention on what has been claimed to have happened relating to an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Obrera, Morelia, where there are said to have been tears of blood, the Archdiocese of Morelia wants to make some points clear," it said.

"To begin with it is necessary to emphasise the need to be cautious when discussing an issue as delicate as a supposed miracle. The Catholic Church has always acted prudently with such matters, avoiding dismissals or affirmations without a full investigation. The Archdiocese of Morelia is taking the necessary measures to investigate the situation in a deep and exhaustive manner. Therefore, it is too early to issue a definitive position on the matter."