Image of Christ on rock in southern Mexico draws hundreds of believers

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (AP) - An image that resembles Jesus Christ on a rock is drawing hundreds of believers to the mountains of Mexico’s southern Chiapas state.

Gregorio Gomez, a 57-year-old Tzotzil, said a voice told him in a dream last month he would find an image of Christ on a rock.

Last week, he stumbled across the image as he was walking near his village Santa Anita, on Huitepec mountain, rising 2,270 metres above sea level.

“I saw it and there was Christ,” said Gomez, standing in front of the rock marked with what appeared to be part of a face and body.

News of the apparition travelled quickly and hundreds of people have since hiked to the stone to see it and leave a candle.

Roman Catholic Bishop Felipe Arismendi Esquivel of the San Cristobal Dioceses said he has seen photos of the image but the church must investigate before determining its authenticity.

But he added, if “these methods help people to live more united in Huitepec, to strengthen their faith, then good, but I hope that they don’t rely on something (to bring about miracles) that has not been adequately proven.”

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