LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces continues to investigate a Virgin Mary sculpture in a Hobbs church that appears to be weeping.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports Bishop Oscar Cantu of the diocese said Friday a sample of the fluid collected from the sculpture was sent for chemical analysis and it was determined that it was olive oil.

That fact doesn’t preclude the occurrence from being deemed a church miracle. But an investigation is still underway.

Cantu says the investigation entails trying to determine whether there was a natural cause behind the liquid found on the hollow bronze sculpture.

Cantu says the diocese also examined the interior of the statue and determined nothing irregular.

The sculpture, which stands in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, has been attracting attention since visitors first reported the fluid in May.