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Description
This programme examines the apparent incidence of miracles at Lourdes from three different perspectives. The first is that of a Catholic theologian, the second that of a doctor working in the Medic...al Bureau at Lourdes, and the third is that of a British doctor who expresses a sceptical view. These perspectives are examined in the context of a rich array of visual material which serves to emphasise the impact of Lourdes on many pilgrims; a view echoed by a young pilgrim who also contributes to the programme. The involvement of the Medical Bureau at Lourdes is particularly examined to question the role of scientific inquiry in the process of affirming a miraculous recovery.
Metadata describing this Open University video programme
Module code and title: U202, Inquiry
Item code: U202; 01
First transmission date: 15-03-1981
Published: 1981
Rights Statement:
Restrictions on use:
Duration: 00:24:25
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Producer: Roger Penfound
Presenter: Stuart Brown
Contributors: Martin Duffey; Donald West; Lucien Lalaque; Theodore Mangiapan
Publisher: BBC Open University
Keyword(s): Lourdes; Miracles; Pilgrims; Religion
Footage description: Shots of Lourdes and pilgrims at the Grotto. The narrator describes the history of Lourdes and its tradition of miraculous cures. Dr Stuart Brown introduces the programme and the idea that people have different maps of knowledge which can conflict with or complement each other. Lourdes provides an example of how Church views of science and religion can be accommodated in one map of knowledge. He describes the work of the Medical Bureau in Lourdes and how the evidence of the Doctors there is used in the assessment of allegedly miraculous cures. Shots of pilgrims in wheelchairs. Martin Duffy, a pilgrim, talks about his expectations in coming to Lourdes, the confusion he felt in reconciling the expectations some people had of a miraculous cure and his own knowledge of his paralysis. Canon Lalaque, Assistant Director General of the Sanctuaries, talks about the theological significance of Lourdes. He argues that the cures at Lourdes help people to believe in God. Shots of the Medical Bureau. Stuart Brown describes the function of the Bureau. Dr Mangiapan, director of the Bureau, talks about the procedures used to verify a claim that someone has been cured. After a claim has been vetted by the Bureau it is submitted to an international panel of doctors. If they agree with the Bureau that the cure cannot be explained by medical science, the person healed can apply to his Bishop to have the cure declared a miracle. Canon Lalaque describes how the church has used, from the beginning, the services of the Medical Bureau to ratify the claims made at Lourdes. Dr Mangiapan argues that the church needs medical experts to prevent it from claiming a miracle when the cure was, in fact, commonplace. Dr Donald West, commissioned by the American parapsychology Foundation to investigate the cures at Lourdes, argues that he found during his researches nothing that was totally inexplicable on medical grounds. Stuart Brown describes the last official miracle at Lourdes, the cure of Serge Perrin, 1 May 197O. Shots of the anointing of the sick at Lourdes. Dr West argues that in the Perrin case there is a lack of objective evidence about his condition before and after the cure. This is often the case in many of the alleged miracles that he has studied. Dr Mangiapan puts his position as a doctor and a Christian. He argues that present-day medicine cannot explain the cures that occurred fifty or one hundred years ago. Canon Lalaque argues that miracles, when they occur, are a sign of God's intervention. Science is unable to explain these occurrences and is no longer so self-assured as to believe it can provide the truth in all things. Shots of Lourdes and pilgrims praying. Dr Mangiapan speaks of the dichotomy between religion and science. Dr West states that he does not expect to encounter miracles. Canon Lalaque argues for the spiritual value of coming to Lourdes. Shots of people taking water from the spring and praying in procession. Martin Duffy describes his positive reactions to the pilgrimage. Dr West argues that faith may well cure psychologically-induced illnesses. Canon Lalaque argues that science has not the means to lead people to a love of God. The message of God's love is more important than the cures. Lourdes would be important without miracles.
Master spool number: FOUD114P
Production number: FOUD114P
Videofinder number: 1297
Available to public: no