MODERN MIRACLES HAVE STRICT RULES

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Pilon believes that as medical science and psychology uncover rational explanations for more cures, it becomes increasingly difficult to name something a miracle. He regrets the trend and, without relaxing his own stringent standards, suggests that the church give more importance to instances where the divine can be said to have been present in a cure, without being its sole explanation. "Ordinary Christians want to see the action of God," he says bluntly. "People are hungry for signs."

--Reported by Greg Burke/Lourdes