PORTUGAL: Missing British girl's parents pray for daughter at Portugal's Fatima shrine

The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann made a long car journey to the Portuguese shrine of Fatima on Wednesday (May 23), one of Catholicism's holiest sites. Kate and Gerry McCann prayed and attended mass at the sanctuary of Fatima, where the appearance of the Virgin Mary 90 years ago to three children is said to have foretold the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in 1981. The McCanns have attended church nearly every day since their daughter Madeleine disappeared from her bedroom on May 3 in the small Algarve resort town of Praia da Luz. "Their faith is very, very important to them and this was a profoundly moving and important spiritual visit for them at this time," a spokesman for the family told reporters. As the McCanns walked around the shrine they were hugged and greeted by pilgrims, who wished them well. One man held up a sign reading: "Ireland prays for Madeleine". The shrine attracts about 3.5 million pilgrims every year. The McCann's spokesman said the family was immensely grateful for the many good wishes, flowers, presents and prayers. "Every single prayer is important to them. They draw strength from every prayer in their ongoing search for Madeleine," he said. Portuguese police have yet to make an arrest but say they have identified one suspect.

ITN Source | May 24, 2007

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