The research on what was happening in Cochabamba was given to Mike Willesee, one of Australia's most senior journalists. Mike remained skeptical but did accept an invitation to come and see for himself.
Mike Willesee, arriving in Cochabamba,
He traveled to a rural area (see pictures to right and below), on the outskirts of Cochabamba, a place where Katya said the Virgin Mary would appear to her that day. In the video Mike said:
"I was skeptical. I was sitting on the fence and I didn't believe. But after 35 years in journalism, I think I know something about people, and I wanted to see for myself what sort of people these were."
In the video Mike said that he was watchful for signs of a cult and moneymaking but instead he saw humility and prayerfulness. He spoke also about how Katya fell to her knees (see picture on left) when the Blessed Mother appeared and how throughout the day Katya kept wiping her hands. Later, in a small nearby church, he sniffed the beautiful fragrance on a clean cloth that he had handed to Katya to wipe her hands (see picture below).
Katya kept wiping her hands during the apparition.
