Naples reports 'moving' Madonna statue

NAPLES, Italy, July 26 (UPI) -- A 63-inch statue of the Virgin Mary has reportedly been caught on a cell phone camera moving in a Roman Catholic church outside Naples.

Father Oreste Santoro of the church of San Pietro said he had not seen the statue move last weekend, but a number of parishioners had reportedly taken footage of it with their mobile phones. The phones were forwarded to the local bishop, Giovanni Rinaldi, who was to determine whether to refer the apparition to the Vatican for authentication, The Times of London reported Tuesday.

Parishioners in the town of Acerra, on the northern outskirts of Naples, recounted seeing the simple plaster and marble statue "become flesh" and move her legs "as if she wanted to approach us."

Meanwhile, Espedito Marletta, the mayor of Acerra, said he believes the "miracle" is a sign of the Virgin's anguish over recent terrorist attacks and a plea for peace.