On May 5, 2004, Fatima Shrine Rector Guerra allowed a Hindu ritual to be performed on the Catholic altar in the Fatima shrine. The incident was broadcast on SIC television, a national TV station of Portugal.

About 60 Hindus traveled by bus from Lisbon for the event. Afterwards, the Hindus met with Shrine Rector Guerra and the Bishop of Leiria-Fatima, who allowed the Hindus to drape them in shawls covered with verses of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu "holy book."

See "Pictures of a Desecration: Photo Report of Hindu Ritual at Fatima" for 20 photos of this event.

1. Shrine Rector Guerra receives a shawl covered with verses of the Bhagavad Gita, a "sacred book" of Hinduism, whose basic message is that all of life is an illusion.
   
   
2. The Hindus performing their pagan ritual in the Capelinha, the sacred site where Our Lady appeared. The Hindu "priest" stands at the Mass altar.
   
   
3. Some of the gods worshiped by the Hindus.
   
   
4. Hindu "priest" speaking of "divine energy" at Fatima. Hindus believe that Our Lady of Fatima is merely a representation of one of their many gods.
   
   
5. Shrine Rector Guerra speaks approvingly about the Hindu worship on SIC, a national Portuguese television station.

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