‘Bleeding’ picture of Jesus draws crowds at Mumbai

Thousands of devotees thronged St Michael's church in Mahim, Mumbai, following reports of a dark patch resembling blood appearing on a portion of the Jesus Christ painting.

Some Christians claimed they saw blood oozing out from the heart of Jesus in the picture. They consider it a great miracle.

However, spokesperson for the Catholic Bishop in Mumbai has brushed off the claims saying, it occurred due to the moisture in the air.

Father Donat D’souza of St Michael’s parish said that they have noticed it soon after the last service performed on Friday at 8.45 pm. He said, “It might have been caused by moisture.”

After the incident, the Church claimed to have received over 100,000 people, who wanted to have a glimpse of the picture, while some even waited for hours to touch the picture.

For Father Gregory Lobo, secretary of the Bombay Archdiocesan Board of Education, its nothing wrong in calling it a "miracle" as long as it changed people's lives. It was a "matter of faith," he said.

The image has been sent for scrutiny and may even be sent for a lab testing.