Posted on 04/16/2005 9:03:04 AM PDT by NYer
We are pleased to report that the sale of what was purported to be a Host consecrated by Pope John Paul II and put up for sale on eBay, the on-line auctioneer, has been withdrawn, with the Host handed over to the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, where the seller is located [see previous story].
The issue garnered national media attention when, within minutes of a link to it on this website Wednesday night,, a Cupertino, California, man offered $2,000 for the Host to keep it out of the hands of witches, satanists, or souvenir hunters.
Although eBay claimed it received "a few" protests, the California man told us that he received 500 e-mails in just the several hours his address was displayed on Spirit Daily, before he asked us to remove his name, preferring anonymity.
Earlier Friday, Monsignor Roger J. Augustine, administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City, met with the seller and was advised that the sale would not be consummated. According to Msgr. Augustine, the seller deeply regretted the effort to sell the Eucharist and extended a personal apology to him, the diocese and any others who had been offended by the eBay listing. Because the transaction never materialized, there was no money exchanged or received.
"The Eucharist detailed in the eBay auction was given to Msgr. Augustine and has been properly disposed of according to the dictates of Catholic Church law," states a diocesan press release. "'As I said earlier this week, the Eucharist represents the true presence of Jesus Christ to Catholics,' said Msgr. Augustine. 'I am most grateful that the seller agreed that it was in everyone's best interest to bring this issue to a positive conclusion.'"
Continues the press release: "The issue of the attempted sale of the Eucharist has attracted both national and international attention with e-mails and fax messages coming into the diocesan office from countless communities. Although this specific issue has been resolved, the diocese still has differences with eBay and its policy governing the listing of items that are offensive to people of faith. E-Bay officials contend they see nothing offensive with the sale of such items on their website. Many Catholic organizations and individuals have taken issue with that policy and apparently are making their opinions known to eBay officials."
Meanwhile, the man who purchased the Host, a member of the Knights of Columbus, told us that he is more than pleased with the outcome. "I'm overwhelmed with the silent majority and how they spoke up and took action in this case," he told us, referring to the many who voiced outrage [see secular report].
There were two bids before he placed his $2,000 offer, one for $120 and one for $150.
"I am not a Catholic and do not believe I'm going to hell for selling this collectible," said the owner in his original advertisement. "It's a memento from that great afternoon with Pope John Paul II. Yes, this is the actual Eucharist I saved during the Mass that I participated in on October 18th, 1998. I ate one wafer then I went back and got another one to save and he gave me another one, but I did get a very dirty look! I was studying in Florence that semester and a bunch of us went down to Rome that week to partake. I'm not Catholic, but I found it all very interesting. Along with the Eucharist, I have the program from that day and a little bulletin. It's all in Italian. I also have four stamps from the Vatican that year and a bottle opener that I bought when I was in Rome way back in 1992. From what I understand, if you're holding something in your hand during a certain moment when Pope John Paul II spoke during his Mass, it becomes blessed. I was holding this bottle opener during Mass with him in 1992. It has his picture on one side and a picture of the Trevi Fountain on the other."
The seller went on to explain that everything from 1998 (Eucharist, bulletin, program, and stamps) were encased in plastic in his "scratch book" and all were in "awesome condition." Photos authenticating his presence there that day were also to be included (although we cannot verify any of his claims).
No problem...as I said, Forgiveness is my middle name...:)
Exactly.
Or a "cookie," perhaps. Remember Archie Bunker? Or a popular breakfast cereal, a.k.a. "Christ Crispies."
No irreverence is intended, on my part. I am merely reporting what others (my "fellow" Christians - so-called - of other denominations) have said in an attempt to insult or discredit the Catholic faith.
Ugh.
Ugh yourself. It's factually true that no idolatry, by definition, is occurring at communion in a Bible-believing Protestant assembly.
We do not accept that "this is my body" cannot be taken metaphorically, since when Jesus spoke those words he was physically present with his disciples, his flesh was still on his frame, and the food that he was passing out consisted not of his own flesh and blood but literal bread and wine.
Jesus also said that he was a door (John 10:9) and a vine (John 15:1). He must have been a very strange man indeed if I understand these figures of speech literally. He also said that he would like to gather his people to himself like a hen gathering her chicks (Matt. 23:37). Do I conclude from this that Jesus was a chicken?
Ecumenism is not so important to me that I have to dignify silly statements by Protestants *or* compromise my Church's sacred beliefs in the name of unity.
Communion is nothing more than a pagan ritual made christian by Constantine and the rest of Christendom...
Never said it was original... It's historical...
I know. That was my point.
Yeah, right.....just curious....what religion are you that yo are so openy anti-Christian? I think I know, but I would like you to comfirm.
I am not anti christian... I am anti-pope... The catholic church is a product of man and claiming the holy ghost has made it so is a bunch on rubbish...
Typical liberal, you did NOT answer my question of what religion you are....so do you have the NERVE t answer honestly what religion you are?
I am a christian... And please get off your high horse and stop labling me... Your attitude and attack of me meets the sterotype of the "Lurkers" here who use our words against us... Chill...
I am a Catholic....a Christian would never use a small "C" and a real Christian would never be afraid to answere what religion they are. Every Christian is PROUD to stand up and declare, at least the ones I know.
YOu are one whacked out person... I don't think christ would act like that... By the way... Christ is not a christian... Neither was paul or peter... and I don't see Catholic any where in the old or new testament...
By the way the lowercase "c" was a typo... Scary...
Couldn't answer a simple question.
This is what can happen after it's allowed to receive Holy Communion on palm not directly to mouth.
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