PORTUGAL — It’s often been said that the world divides women unfairly into virgins and whores. One of them famous shrines in Portugal has unexpectedly brought the two extremes of femininity, resulting in more than a few disapproving scowls and complaints.The Sanctuary of Fatima is a popular pilgrimage site about 75 miles north of Lisbon in Portugal, known throughout the globe for the visions three young shepherds allegedly witnessed there 90 years ago. The eldest girl eventually became a nun and insisted that she had been given information about an attempt to murder Pope John Paul II in 1981, among other events.
Millions of visitors seek out the shrine throughout the year, many hoping that its waters will produce healing miracles or that the Virgin Mary might hear and answer their prayers.
With its anniversary celebration recently passed, thousands of pilgrims sought out free maps to make it easier to navigate the area. What message they were exposed to depended on which side of the map they looked.
On one side, the holy virgin herself greeted seekers – while the other featured advertisements for sex toys and aphrodisiacs.
“The map is not official and make the wrong use of the picture of the Virgin Mary,” a shrine spokesman insists, adding that “The Sanctuary is saddened and will carry out the necessary measures to end its distribution.”
