A screen capture from MBC TV's ‘PD Diary’ about the bleeding statue of the Virgin Mary in Naju on Nov. 13.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju on Wednesday issued an official announcement on a statue of the Virgin Mary in Naju, South Jeolla Province that is believed to shed bloody tears. In the announcement, the archdiocese called the enthusiasm of some Catholics over the phenomenon a "departure from the orthodox faith based on a false belief system." This was the fourth time since 1998 that the archdiocese has made official announcements on St. Mary's Garden in Naju.

St. Mary's Garden has become a destination for Korean and foreign pilgrims since a beautician named Julia Yoon in June 1985 claimed her own statue of the Virgin Mary shed bloody tears. A program on MBC TV's current affairs show "PD Diary" on Nov. 13 titled "Miracle or Fraud: the Truth about the St. Mary's Garden in Naju" called various "miracles" allegedly performed there into question.

“'PD Diary' revealed, albeit partly, the falsehood of the rumors over the bleeding statue of the Virgin Mary,” the archdiocese said. “We reaffirm that the gatherings and rituals held arbitrarily by Julia Yoon and her associates at St. Mary's Garden and the so-called 'shrine' have nothing to do with the Catholic faith."

The archdiocese said, “Allegations and propaganda about the so-called 'miracles' or 'revelations' have nothing to do with the Catholic Church. We make it clear that visits to, and rituals at, those places by priests, monks or believers from any diocese violate Catholic canon law. The church bans all priests, monks and believers from visiting those places and officiating or participating in any kinds of rituals there."

(englishnews@chosun.com )