Hobart Catholic Church claims miracles can cure cancer, death

THE Hobart Catholic Church will claim miracles can help cure cancer, paralysis, and even death, at an exhibition at the Waterside Pavilion this week.

The 13-day event – Miraculous Events: Science Tests Faith – is run by the Catholic Archdiocese of Hobart and will feature a series of speakers claiming to scientifically prove the existence of God, miracles and the supernatural.

One of the speakers will be Umberto Villa, who will present the results of scientific research into Eucharistic miracles.

Dr Villa claims the evidence supports the Christian belief about the Last Supper.

Another speaker is Hobart skin cancer doctor Rachel Bradley, who says she believes cancers can be cured by the power of miracles.

“There are many scientifically documented cases of inexplicable healings of all sorts of illnesses, including incurable cancers,’’ Dr Bradley said.

“Some of these will be shown in the Miraculous Events exhibition.

“While I personally believe that sometimes illness can be cured through miracles, this isn’t something I prescribe to patients presenting with an illness.”

Organiser Christine Wood said she hoped the event would convince atheists and those who would “pit science against religion”.

“We are displaying miracles of healing from deafness, blindness, cancer, paralysis, decay and death, as well as miracles of nature itself,” Dr Wood said.

“Faith is a valid avenue of knowledge, and in fact, faith and science can complement one another.”

In addition to seven live presentations, the event includes an exhibition at the Waterside Pavilion, on the Hobart waterfront, which is open to the public from 10am to 4.30pm until June 26.

It contains interactive and documentary-style presentations of 20 alleged miracles and “inexplicable” miraculous healings.

Hobart Skeptics president Leyon Parker said he would require a high standard of evidence to believe diseases could be cured through miracles.

“We think the burden of proof is very heavy, and we’re yet to see evidence that would satisfy a true scientific test that these things can be done,” Mr Parker said.