veritas omnia vincit

Yes, another story from the BBC. This time in Northern Ireland, a people claim to see the virgin Mary in a tree stump.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8143015.stm

The Catholic Church's hierarchy in Ireland ... feels dubious about the tree stump, according to Limerick diocese spokesman Fr Paul Finnerty.

"The Church's response to phenomena of this type is one of great scepticism," he said.

"While we do not wish in any way to detract from devotion to Our Lady, we would also wish to avoid anything which might lead to superstition."

If that's not special pleading, I don't know what is!