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Madeleine parents visit shrine | Madeleine parents visit shrine |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have visited Portugal's holiest site to pray for the four-year-old's return. | |
Gerry and Kate McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, who say their Catholic faith has kept them going, spent time at the Marian shrine of Fatima. | Gerry and Kate McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, who say their Catholic faith has kept them going, spent time at the Marian shrine of Fatima. |
The visit is expected to be the first of several to raise awareness about Madeleine, who disappeared on 3 May. | The visit is expected to be the first of several to raise awareness about Madeleine, who disappeared on 3 May. |
Meanwhile, police in Portimao, in the Algarve, are re-interviewing two people as witnesses in the case. | Meanwhile, police in Portimao, in the Algarve, are re-interviewing two people as witnesses in the case. |
It is believed the pair are Michaela Walczuch, the German girlfriend of the sole official suspect, Briton Robert Murat, and her estranged husband, Portugese national Luis Antonio. | It is believed the pair are Michaela Walczuch, the German girlfriend of the sole official suspect, Briton Robert Murat, and her estranged husband, Portugese national Luis Antonio. |
Religious faith | Religious faith |
The trip to the shrine marks the first time Mrs McCann has left the Algarve village of Praia da Luz since Madeleine was abducted from their holiday apartment, other than visits to the police station in nearby Portimao. | The trip to the shrine marks the first time Mrs McCann has left the Algarve village of Praia da Luz since Madeleine was abducted from their holiday apartment, other than visits to the police station in nearby Portimao. |
According to friends, she had hoped to make the four-hour trip to the shrine before Madeleine was abducted, and had been even keener to do so since. | |
Her religious faith is long-standing, while Mr McCann is said to have had his renewed during their ordeal. | Her religious faith is long-standing, while Mr McCann is said to have had his renewed during their ordeal. |
On the weekend of Madeleine's fourth birthday earlier this month, 300,000 pilgrims flocked to Fatima, including many who carried the girl's picture and prayed for her return. | On the weekend of Madeleine's fourth birthday earlier this month, 300,000 pilgrims flocked to Fatima, including many who carried the girl's picture and prayed for her return. |
Devotion | Devotion |
They were marking the 90th anniversary of a vision of the Virgin Mary appearing to three shepherd children - Lucia Santos, her cousin Francisco Marto and his six-year-old sister Jacinta - at the site north of Lisbon. | They were marking the 90th anniversary of a vision of the Virgin Mary appearing to three shepherd children - Lucia Santos, her cousin Francisco Marto and his six-year-old sister Jacinta - at the site north of Lisbon. |
Mary is said to have disclosed three secrets to the children and predicted Jacinta and Francisco's deaths. | Mary is said to have disclosed three secrets to the children and predicted Jacinta and Francisco's deaths. |
The shrine attracts millions of pilgrims every year, many of whom show their devotion by approaching it on their hands and knees. | The shrine attracts millions of pilgrims every year, many of whom show their devotion by approaching it on their hands and knees. |
During services in the village church in Praia da Luz, which the McCanns have been attending, churchgoers have chanted: "Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us now." | During services in the village church in Praia da Luz, which the McCanns have been attending, churchgoers have chanted: "Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us now." |