Sickly Tree That Hides Controversial Jesus Mural Needs A Miracle

SOUTH PORTLAND — The pine tree planted to hide what some call the googly-eyed Jesus may be dying. The long, green needles of the Austrian pine, which obscures a controversial mural of Jesus Christ on the bell tower of Holy Cross Catholic Church on Cottage Road, have mysteriously turned brown in recent weeks. But people familiar with the 25-foot-tall tree say it has looked dead in the past and been brought back to life, in keeping with the subject of the mural, which depicts the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ.