Massachusetts: A 71-yr-old Catholic priest, who recovered from a 48-minute coma, claims God is a woman, with a warm and with a comforting motherly figure.

Father John Micheal O’neal from Massachussetts was declared dead for more than 48 minutes, but medics miraculously revived him. On waking up the priest claimed that he had gone to heaven and met God, reports pulse.ng.

Reports say Father O’neal was rushed to the hospital on January 29 after a major heart attack, but was declared clinically dead soon after his arrival.

But with the aid of high-tech machine called LUCAS 2, that kept the blood flowing to his brain, doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital managed to unblock vital arteries and return his heart to a normal rhythm.

It was gathered that doctors were afraid he would have suffered some brain damage from the incident, but he woke up less than 48 hours later and seems to have perfectly recovered.

The elderly priest claims that he has clear and vivid memories of what happened to him while he was dead. He describes a strange out-of-body experience, experiencing an intense feeling of unconditional love and acceptance, as well as being surrounded by an overwhelming light.

He claims that at that point in his experience, he went to heaven and encountered God, which he describes as a feminine, mother-like “Being of Light.”

“Her presence was both overwhelming and comforting,” states the Catholic priest. “She had a soft and soothing voice and her presence was as reassuring as a mother’s embrace. The fact that God is a Holy Mother instead of a Holy Father doesn’t disturb me, she is everything I hoped she would be and even more!”

It was learnt that declarations of the cleric caused quite a stir in the Catholic clergy of the archdiocese over the last few days, causing the Archbishop to summon a press conference to try and calm the rumors.

Despite the disapproval of his superiors, Father O’neal says that he will continue dedicating his life to God and spread the word of the “Holy Mother.”

The Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has not confirmed however, if they will allow Father O’neal to resume his preaching in his former parish in South Boston.