Shroud of Turin replica goes on display

A replica of the Shroud of Turin is being shown in Lincolnshire.

The 4.4m-long (14ft) replica, made using laser technology, is on display at St Wulfram's in Grantham until 3 March.

It is a replica of the original linen cloth, which is said to be the burial cloth that was wrapped around Jesus' body after the Crucifixion.

The copy was displayed for the first time in England at Crowland Abbey last year.

Brother John Michael, guardian of the replica, said he was "overwhelmed" by the turnout last year and the "interest was incredible".

Brother John is a part of Templars Today - a community interest company aiming to end hate and preserve Christianity.

The group said everyone was welcome to attend the exhibition, including those who are non-religious.

"You can dispel the religious part of it because it's actually a factual item and proven by science," Brother John said.

"Everyone comes in with a preconceived conception of what we're doing, why we're doing it and they have personal opinions of the authenticity of the shroud.

"We hold the scientific facts that have been used to disprove it over the past few years."

The Catholic Church takes no official position on the authenticity of the shroud, which is kept at Turin Cathedral.

Ever since radiocarbon dating in 1989 proclaimed the cloth to be 700 years old, the Church has stirred away from saying it was anything but an "icon" of Christian devotion.

Brother John said the replica was made to tour Britain because the original shroud only comes out once every five years due to its age and different elements in the air starting to affect it.

He said the replica, which has previously been on show in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, is kept in a "very safe place".

"We don't keep it in the home. It's too precious. It's too much of a risk being near a fire, which, of course, the original one was in several fires," he added.

The exhibition is free, but donations to the church's running costs are encouraged.

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