Samoa will soon find out if a woman claiming to be carrying the marks of Jesus Christ’s suffering is genuine.

Toaipuapua Opapo Patrick, the Samoan woman claiming to have stigmata, is in Rome where her suffering have been examined by officials of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi, who accompanied Toa to Rome a few weeks ago, said Toa’s claims are now the subject of an assessment by the Vatican.

Around Easter this year, Toa had claimed to be experiencing the passion of the Christ and was carrying the marks of Jesus Christ’s suffering. 

 “Her claims have been put through the process at the Vatican,” La’auli told the Samoa Observer. 

“The church has its own jurisdiction in terms of investigating these matters. It doesn’t happen to one country it is happening around the world but it’s the first case for the Pacific.

“At the moment, the case has been referred to experts in the Vatican.” 

In the meantime, La’auli said Toa, her husband, Patrick and her father, Rev. Opapo Oeti have settled into an apartment in Rome. 

The Minister also said the ancient Hebrew writings done by Toa and translations from Jewish in New Zealand and the Malua Theological College have also been handed over to the Vatican. 

“The Vatican are looking into it to see what is the message,” he said. 

“I believe there are more messages coming in December (from Toa).” 

According to La’auli, his duty was to accompany Toa as a government official to assist the young woman to Rome. 

“It coincided with a meeting I attended for F.A.O in Rome,” he said. 

“I believe that the church does not rush into making a decision in things like this. It took the church 65 years to complete its investigation into Saint Faustina to confirm messages from our Christ.”

Before Toa left for Rome, she said she has been told to go to Rome because more messages are waiting for her there.  

Toa said she had already written 41 messages in the Hebrew language, which she has taken with her to Rome.

During a recent interview with the Savali Newspaper, Prime Minister Tuilaepa supported Toa’s trip.

“I have been asked to help with the translation of the writings in Hebrew, done during the revelation to Ms Toaipuapuaga. One such occurrence happened in front of my own eyes,” he said.

“As leader of the country it is logical that people in need should seek the help of their leader. 

“This same stigmata happened to St Paul as seen in Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, Chapter 6:17. This supernatural event has happened in Samoa. 

"Not in New Zealand, Australia or any other Christian Pacific Island. 

“To me it is a special divine blessing for Samoa and we Samoan Christians should thank the Lord for His choice of Ms Toaipuapuaga for His mission and a thumbs up for the Pastor of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa for his daughter and for the first ever C.C.C.S .stigmata that I know of to have happened to a member of the Protestant faith.”