A young woman in Samoa who claims to have experienced stigmata (wounds suffered by Jesus during the crucifixion) has gathered widespread support according to media reports. The events have captured the attention of the world’s press, including the BBC.

The 23 year-old Toaipuapuaga Soana’i from the village of Falelati in Upolu, is believed by many including the Samoan Prime Minister and church clergy, to have experienced the divine inflictions of stigmata during a crucifixion re-enactment on Good Friday.

According to media reports, Soana’i was acting as Jesus in an Easter play for her Sunday school when she suddenly began to bleed from wounds on her hands, head and feet. Soana’i claims she experienced stigmata and that her experience was a message from god for Samoans to repent. She has since won widespread recognition, including from members of the local Catholic clergy. Soana’i is a member of the Congregational Church of Samoa and the daughter of a pastor.

The most prominent supporter of Soana’i is Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi, he told the Samoan Observer “We should be happy about these events, that it has happened to a daughter of a pastor in Samoa – If it happens to someone it means they are holy”.

Others are less than impressed. According to reports, some Samoans have dismissed Soana’i as a fake and have ridiculed the public’s attention.