I’m slightly skeptical (which would not have served me well at all in a trial by ordeal to begin with…)
I’m sure this could have, under some circumstances, worked “as advertised” with a skilled, thoughtful priest. But there were many other forms of religious or quasi-religious trials in wide use which were not amenable to this headology - such as parties to the trial holding a contest of arms spread to form a cross figure (to see whom would God grant greater strength), not to mention trial by combat. So I’m not entirely sure the practice was really as benevolent or as cunningly administered as suggested.
Also, the priests would have to be quite skeptical and cynical themselves, deliberately messing with an ostensible act of God.
