Replica Of The Shroud Of Turin Goes On Public Exhibition In Philadelphia
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A replica of the Shroud of Turin, believed by some Christians to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ is now on public exhibition at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Philadelphia.
Father John Fields, director of communications for the Ukrainian Church in Philadelphia, says the Vatican-authorized replica of the shroud is now on public display inside the Golden-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Northern Liberties.
"It's an exact replica - 14 feet by 3.7 feet wide - was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI. And, not only was it blessed as a third-class relic, it was also touched to the original shroud in Turin."
Fields says showing of the replica coincides with the Vatican's authorized public display of the original artifact at a church in Turin, Italy until late June.
He says the replica is the ninth authorized by the Catholic Church and obtained by the Ukrainian Metropolitan Archbishop for exhibition in Philadelphia.
Fields says visitors can view the replica shroud on Wednesdays and Saturdays or make special arrangements by contacting the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral chancery office.