The Shroud of Turin is an image wrapped up in mystery, woven into the fabric of faith and increasingly supported by science. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
Believed by many to bear the image of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, the Shroud of Turin, has captivated people for centuries.
Yet questions remain: who was the man on the ancient linen cloth? And how was his image created?
These profound questions were explored at the Australian Holy Shroud Conference, held at the Liverpool Catholic Club in south-western Sydney on June 27 and 28.
A team of expert speakers – blending science, history, theology, and faith – presented compelling evidence for the shroud’s authenticity as the burial cloth of Jesus Christ.
Speakers included local shroud expert William West, international guests Fr Andrew Dalton and documentarian David Rolfe, and the president of Campion College, Dr Paul Morrissey.
Fr Brendan Murphy SDB, the president of the Australian Holy Shroud Conference organising committee, welcomed the nearly 300 in attendance.
The conference also featured an exhibition showcasing a full-size replica of the Shroud and artifacts related to Christ’s crucifixion.
Mr West presented historical evidence from 20th century forensic scientists and doctors on the “miracle” behind the man on the cloth.
“No one can explain it,” he said.
He described the image as that of a male body which bears genuine blood and trauma marks consistent with crucifixion wounds, yet said it underwent a mysterious transition, like light passing through matter, to imprint on the linen.
Most compelling, Mr West said, is that scientists estimate about 30 trillion watts of energy was necessary to produce the image seen on the shroud.
He said this intense burst of light suggests a supernatural origin.
At a session called “The Crowning of Thorns”, Fr Dalton, a US-based international speaker on the topic, invited the audience to “pause and ponder on Christ’s suffering before he was placed in the shroud.”
“This story isn’t just about Christ,” Fr Dalton said. “It’s a map for our own journey. He remains with us in the Eucharist; that’s his promise. We too can meet him.”
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Holy Shroud conference in Australia blends science, faith, and history (By Darren Ally, The Catholic Weekly)
