The challenge facing Lourdes
SIR – The article by Christopher Altieri regarding the changes taking place at the Lourdes Sanctuary (Vatican news analysis, June 14) highlights areas of concern. The sad truth is that, for whatever reason, donations left are not in line with what may reasonably be expected from the millions of pilgrims who visit the shrine of Our Blessed Lady each year. Consequently, the Domain authorities are looking at income streams to make up this shortfall. In my view they are becoming too worldly in this regard, and so we see commercialisation creeping into the Domain, which has never been evident in the past.
