Reminds me of statements of faith on inerrancy in conservative circles: “While belief in inerrancy is not necessary for salvation denying it…blah blah blah blah.” Is the Shroud so strongly regarded in orthodoxy that you were compelled to write, “I reject the opinion that confidence in the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin is necessary to orthodox faith and salvation”? I honestly had no idea this was a significant belief.
And many things can promote the Gospel. As Karl Barth told us, God is sovereign. If he wants to speak to us through a dead dog (or even a forged artifact), that is His divine prerogative.
Vinnie