A suspected bigamist who was married to two brides during an unofficial ceremony in Zhejiang Province explained he was only fulfilling his sick mother's wishes.

In a handwritten letter to local authorities, Shi explained  his sick mother said she received a divine message about the wedding during prayer.

"My mother went to worship Buddha, who said that a double-wedding would bring her health and good luck," said Shi in the letter posted on the Xinqiao township government Weibo account Wednesday.

Shi explained he paid each woman 100 yuan ($16) to stand in as brides, and they left right after the ceremony.

"I now feel humiliated and realize I made a mistake," wrote Shi in the letter. "I will never do it again and hope you can forgive me."

Ningbo officials found Shi to be unmarried after photos of the unusual wedding, held on Sunday, were posted online.

Today Morning Express
Newspaper headline: Man weds two brides to fulfill ill mother's divine vision