The so-called "miracle of the sun" has been the subject of brazen hype of the highest degree from the Catholic authorities that were interested in promoting the supernatural nature of what might have happened in Fátima.
"there are many factors that prevent us drawing the simple conclusion that a divinely-inspired miracle took place. Firstly, there were many representatives of the press present at the Cova, both journalists and photographers. There are many photographs of the crowd witnessing the vision; but in spite of the presence of cameras there is no photograph of the event that is even vaguely authentic... What were the photographers doing? How could anyone miss a scoop like that? Secondly, it is clear that only a proportion of the crowd, probably less than half, actually witnessed the miracle... Thirdly, the accounts of the miracle, of the 'dance of the sun,' are simply not consistent... these contradictions must raise some doubts as to the objective nature of what was seen." (Pg. 78-79, The Evidence for Visions of the Virgin Mary, Kevin McClure, Aquarian Press, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, 1985).
Also the Catholic church claims there were 70.000 people present, but even the contemporary pro-Catholic newspaper "O Sèculo" from the following day mentions only 30.000.
Also, the Catholic church LIES when it claims that the miracle was witnessed and attested by a portuguese scientist. In fact it was witnessed by the son of a portuguese scientist, who was an attorney, not a scientist.
Besides, less than half of the present people actually saw anything, and those who claim they saw "something" cannot agree on what exactly they were seeing. Distortion, momentarily blindness can be caused by staring straight at the sun; peculiar athmospheric conditions may cause strange momentary effects of the sunlight; all these combined with credulity, religious fervour and hysteria (people wanted to validate what the children claimed to have seen and they have been prepped to expect a great miracle) did the rest.
A close look at the crowd from the pictures taken during the "miracle" shows many completely oblivious to anything happening in the sky, while the faces of the others who look up reveal not awe, shock, or religious ecstasy, but an intrigued expression, consistent with what you would do when you attempt to stare directly at the sun. Also, pictures taken of the sky during the "miracle" reveal nothing special going on.
The Church report was only written post WW2, therefore 4 decades after the events took place. Hardly the most objective and well-documented account, especially given the fact that there was only one living witness of the original visions (Lucia) who was known for having delusional inarticulate ramblings that are more consistent with schizophrenia than a genuine revelation.
Eden