Menu
23/05/2007
Madeleine's parents visit holy shrine
The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann have made a pilgrimage to Portugal's holiest site to pray for the four-year-old's safe return.
Gerry and Kate McCann travelled to Fatima, home of the Marian shrine, in what is expected to be the first of several visits across Europe in order to raise awareness of their daughter's abduction.
The trip is the first time that Mrs McCann has left Praia da Luz since Madeleine disappeared from the family's holiday apartment on May 3.
According to friends of the family, Mrs McCann had wanted to visit the shrine before Madeleine disappeared and had been even keener to do so since the disappearance.
Both of Madeleine's parents are Catholics had have said that their faith has helped them through their ordeal.
The shrine at Fatima was established to mark the events of 1917 when three children claimed that the Virgin Mary appeared to them.
Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine every year. On the weekend of Madeleine's fourth birthday, around 300,000 pilgrims travelled there to mark the 90th anniversary of one of the visions.
Many of the pilgrims had carried pictures of Madeleine and prayed for her safe return.
Speaking on Tuesday, the McCanns said that they would "travel wherever is necessary" in order to find Madeleine.
It has also emerged that police are re-interviewing two people who had previously been questioned as witnesses over Madeleine's disappearance.
Portuguese police have been speaking to Michaela Walczuch, the German girlfriend of Briton Robert Murat, who is the only formal suspect in the case, and her estranged Portuguese husband Luis Antonio.
Meanwhile, Eastenders has been forced to rewrite a storyline involving the abduction of a baby because of Madeleine's kidnap.
The plot had been due to revolve around the character of Dawn Swann, played by Kara Tointon, who is currently pregnant in the show. The character is involved in a love triangle with her lover Rob Minter, played by Stuart Laing, and his wife, Dr May Wright, played by Amanda Drew.
'Eastenders' said that the story would be rewritten before it was broadcast over the summer.
ITV soap 'Coronation Street' has also been forced to rewrite a similar storyline in the wake of Madeleine's abduction.
(KMcA/SP)
Gerry and Kate McCann travelled to Fatima, home of the Marian shrine, in what is expected to be the first of several visits across Europe in order to raise awareness of their daughter's abduction.
The trip is the first time that Mrs McCann has left Praia da Luz since Madeleine disappeared from the family's holiday apartment on May 3.
According to friends of the family, Mrs McCann had wanted to visit the shrine before Madeleine disappeared and had been even keener to do so since the disappearance.
Both of Madeleine's parents are Catholics had have said that their faith has helped them through their ordeal.
The shrine at Fatima was established to mark the events of 1917 when three children claimed that the Virgin Mary appeared to them.
Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine every year. On the weekend of Madeleine's fourth birthday, around 300,000 pilgrims travelled there to mark the 90th anniversary of one of the visions.
Many of the pilgrims had carried pictures of Madeleine and prayed for her safe return.
Speaking on Tuesday, the McCanns said that they would "travel wherever is necessary" in order to find Madeleine.
It has also emerged that police are re-interviewing two people who had previously been questioned as witnesses over Madeleine's disappearance.
Portuguese police have been speaking to Michaela Walczuch, the German girlfriend of Briton Robert Murat, who is the only formal suspect in the case, and her estranged Portuguese husband Luis Antonio.
Meanwhile, Eastenders has been forced to rewrite a storyline involving the abduction of a baby because of Madeleine's kidnap.
The plot had been due to revolve around the character of Dawn Swann, played by Kara Tointon, who is currently pregnant in the show. The character is involved in a love triangle with her lover Rob Minter, played by Stuart Laing, and his wife, Dr May Wright, played by Amanda Drew.
'Eastenders' said that the story would be rewritten before it was broadcast over the summer.
ITV soap 'Coronation Street' has also been forced to rewrite a similar storyline in the wake of Madeleine's abduction.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 October 2013
E-Fit Images Released Of Madeline McCann Suspect
The Metropolitan Police investigating the abduction of a three-year-old British girl called Madeleine McCann from an apartment in the Portuguese Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on the 3rd May 2007, have released two e-fit images of a man who is of vital importance in the case.
E-Fit Images Released Of Madeline McCann Suspect
The Metropolitan Police investigating the abduction of a three-year-old British girl called Madeleine McCann from an apartment in the Portuguese Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on the 3rd May 2007, have released two e-fit images of a man who is of vital importance in the case.
22 May 2007
Madeleine's father returns to Portugal
The father of missing British girl Madeleine McCann has returned to Portugal this morning following a brief visit to the UK. Gerry McCann rejoined his wife Kate and their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie following the visit to the UK. On Tuesday, the couple told reporters that they would "travel wherever is necessary" in order to find Madeleine.
Madeleine's father returns to Portugal
The father of missing British girl Madeleine McCann has returned to Portugal this morning following a brief visit to the UK. Gerry McCann rejoined his wife Kate and their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie following the visit to the UK. On Tuesday, the couple told reporters that they would "travel wherever is necessary" in order to find Madeleine.
30 May 2007
Madeleine's parents meet with the Pope
The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann have attended an audience with Pope Benedict XVI in Rome today. Gerry and Kate McCann's visit is part of a series of trips to highlight the case, which will include trips to Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco and Germany.
Madeleine's parents meet with the Pope
The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann have attended an audience with Pope Benedict XVI in Rome today. Gerry and Kate McCann's visit is part of a series of trips to highlight the case, which will include trips to Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco and Germany.
18 August 2008
Maddie Alive, Says Dad
Determined dad Gerry McCann does not accept the verdict of the Portuguese police files that claim his lost daughter Madeleine is "most probably" dead.
Maddie Alive, Says Dad
Determined dad Gerry McCann does not accept the verdict of the Portuguese police files that claim his lost daughter Madeleine is "most probably" dead.
19 November 2014
Police To Re-Interview First Suspect In Madeleine McCann Disappearance
Detectives investigating the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann plan to re-interview Robert Murat, who was once considered a suspect by Portuguese Police. According to reports British police are travelling to Portugal to participate in interviews with 11 people, two of which are understood to be Mr Murat and his wife.
Police To Re-Interview First Suspect In Madeleine McCann Disappearance
Detectives investigating the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann plan to re-interview Robert Murat, who was once considered a suspect by Portuguese Police. According to reports British police are travelling to Portugal to participate in interviews with 11 people, two of which are understood to be Mr Murat and his wife.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
