RNZIStigmata examined by Vatican

SAMOA – Samoa will soon find out if a woman claiming to be carrying the marks of Jesus Christ’s suffering is genuine, the Samoa Observer reports.

Toaipuapuaga Opapo– known as Toa – the Samoan woman claiming to have the stigmata, has visited the Vatican where her claims been examined by officials of the Roman Catholic Church.

Samoa’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi, who accompanied the young woman to Rome a few weeks ago, said Toa’s claims are now the subject of an assessment by the Vatican.

At Easter this year, the young woman claimed to be experiencing the passion of Christ and was reportedly carrying the marks of Christ’s suffering on the cross.

“Her claims have been put througha process at the Vatican,” La’auli told the Samoa Observer.

“The church has its own jurisdiction in terms of investigating these matters. It doesn’t happen to one country it is happening around the world but it’s the first case for the Pacific.

“At the moment, the case has been referred to experts in the Vatican.”

In the meantime, La’auli said Toa, her husband, Patrick and her father, Reverend Opapo Oeti have settled into an apartment in Rome.

The Minister also said the ancient Hebrew writings that came from the woman’s hand, along with translations, have also been handed over to the Vatican.

“The Vatican are looking into it to see what is the message,” he said. “I believe there are more messages coming in December from Toa.”

According to La’auli, his duty was to accompany Toa as a government official to assist the young woman to Rome.

“It coincided with a meeting I attended for FAO in Rome,” he said. “I believe that the church does not rush into making a decision in things like this. It took the church 65 years to complete its investigation into Saint Faustina to confirm messages from our Christ.”

Before Toa left for Rome, she said she has been told to go to Rome because more messages are waiting for her there.

Toa said she had already written 41 messages in the Hebrew language, which she has taken with her to Rome.

During a recent interview with the Savali Newspaper, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi supported Toa’s trip.

“I have been asked to help with the translation of the writings in Hebrew, done during the revelation to Ms Toaipuapuaga. One such occurrence happened in front of my own eyes,” he said.

“To me it is a special divine blessing for Samoa and we Samoan Christians should thank the Lord for his choice of Ms Toaipuapuaga for his mission and a thumbs up for the pastor of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa for his daughter and for the first ever stigmata that I know of to have happened to a member of the Protestant faith.” - PNC