Catholic Saint Relics Display Denied At Michigan Prison

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Officials from the Michigan Corrections Department have denied a request to bring the relics of a Catholic saint known for forgiving her killer to the Macomb Correctional Facility in New Haven.

Corrections department spokesman Chris Gautz cited concerns about the security of the facility and the relics in rejecting an appearance on Friday.

The Detroit Free Press reports the Vatican-sponsored program Pilgrimage of Mercy requested the relics of St. Maria Goretti, an 11-year-old Italian girl stabbed to death while resisting a sexual assault in 1902, be displayed at the prison.

The Rev. Carlos Martins, who oversees the relics, said he was disappointed the prisoners at the facility would not be able to see the relics. The program is set to visit parishes in Plymouth, Sterling Heights and Detroit during its multistate tour.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.