Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Gietrzwałd, the only site in Poland officially recognized by the Catholic Church for Marian apparitions. Recently, controversy erupted surrounding a statue of the Virgin Mary, dating back to 1877, which underwent extensive renovation last year. Upon its return, concerns were raised online regarding potential unauthorized modifications, sparking dialogue among devotees and critics alike.

In response to these allegations, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Gietrzwałd released a public statement aimed at clarifying the situation. The sanctuary emphasized that the statue remains unchanged from its original form and rebuffed claims that any manipulations were made. They sought to counter misinformation circulating in media that was perceived to incite tensions or mistrust among the faithful.

This incident raises significant questions about the preservation of religious artifacts and the dynamics of faith in modern society. The sanctuary's defense underscores both the complexities involved in maintaining historical religious items and the scrutiny they face in today's age of immediate information, where rumors can quickly escalate. As such, the sanctuary not only aims to protect its reputation but also to maintain the trust of the pilgrims who hold the site sacred.