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AUCTIONED HOST TAKEN OFF EBAY AND HANDED OVER TO DIOCESE
Spirit Daily ^ | April 16, 2005 | Mike Brown

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purported to be a Host consecrated by Pope John Paul II and put up for sale on eBay, the on-line auctioneer, has been withdrawn, with the Host handed over to the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, where the seller is located [see previous story].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).


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: Iowa
KEYWORDS: ebay; eucharist; freepbay; host; jpii; monsignor; pope
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To: swordfish71
As I said earlier this week, the Eucharist represents the true presence of Jesus Christ to Catholics

I don't like how this is phrased. I think the word "is" is clearer.

21 posted on 04/16/2005 9:52:53 AM PDT by HapaxLegamenon
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To: Barnacle
I was in the "Religion Section" of Borders Books a couple days ago. There were shelfs full books on wicca, witchcraft and satanism.

There are a lot of books on Buddhism too but I can count on one hand the number of Americans in the US I have met who had any real clue about the topic. I am sure the same aplies.

22 posted on 04/16/2005 10:08:16 AM PDT by killjoy (Real Men Love Bush)
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To: swordfish71

>>>The RC church holds that if you do not believe that the host and wine are NOT the ACTUAL body and blood of Christ---you should not receive communion.<<<<

Thanks for all your input. I think if you read this quoted part carefully, you may want to change it.


23 posted on 04/16/2005 10:16:03 AM PDT by Sir Charles
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To: Libertina

Other Christians do NOT believe that Holy Commnion is the REAL PRESCENCE of JESUS.....they just think that communion is a SYMBOL.......HUGE difference!!! The Catholic Church does NOT have to change it's dogma.


24 posted on 04/16/2005 10:29:27 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion: The Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: Barnacle
He must think the sacrament of Holy Communion is like a salad bar or something.

I guess I shouldn't be judgmental, my wife says the kids in our parish act like they're going through the drive-thru at Burger King.

25 posted on 04/16/2005 10:38:54 AM PDT by iconoclast (Conservative, not partisan.)
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To: killjoy
There are a lot of books on Buddhism too but I can count on one hand the number of Americans in the US I have met who had any real clue about the topic.

Well, it looks like Borders is doing its best to change that.

26 posted on 04/16/2005 10:50:32 AM PDT by Barnacle (Be not afraid.)
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To: NYer

And people wonder why eBay has been tanking....

Fraudulent Auctions.


27 posted on 04/16/2005 11:38:02 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
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To: NYer
Does this man seriously not realize how deeply offensive his actions are? The depths to which some people will sink to make a buck is truly revolting.

I wonder if there's a fund to reimburse this Knight? I'd sure throw in a few bucks.

28 posted on 04/16/2005 11:47:39 AM PDT by austinTparty
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To: austinTparty
I wonder if there's a fund to reimburse this Knight? I'd sure throw in a few bucks.

No money exchanged hands. The Monsignor contacted the seller, explained the religious significance and was given the host, with many apologies.

29 posted on 04/16/2005 11:50:26 AM PDT by NYer ("America needs much prayer, lest it lose its soul." John Paul II)
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To: NYer
It would be nice if this Host could be used for Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration, but as there is no way to verify that this Host was actually consecrated, that probably wouldn't work out.

I wonder if there is such a thing as conditional consecration (in other words, if This is not consecrated, It would be consecrated, otherwise It simply remains consecrated).

30 posted on 04/16/2005 12:26:57 PM PDT by B Knotts (Ioannes Paulus II, Requiescat in Pacem.)
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To: NYer

That's a happy ending that seems almost too good to be true. Cool.


31 posted on 04/16/2005 12:28:17 PM PDT by Petronski (I thank God Almighty for a most remarkable blessing: John Paul the Great.)
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To: Barnacle
The Monsignor at my Parish was talking with me last week and told me about how he once was involved in the investigation of missing consecrated Hosts. He did not tell me how it turned out but he also spoke of the fear that Satanists would get their hands on it.
32 posted on 04/16/2005 12:37:23 PM PDT by mware ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche........ "Nope, you are"-- GOD)
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To: Libertina
CHRISTIANS cannot take communion in a "Catholic" (Christian) church?

My parents are Catholic and I'm Southern Baptist. When I visit them I do not take communion because (1)I don't believe it's the actual body of Christ and (2)I don't consider myself part of the Catholic community, even though I was baptized as a baby. My mother isn't happy about it, but accepts my decission. When they visit us, they are told that all baptized believers are invited "to put their feet under the Lord's table" and they take communion, knowing very well that at that time it is just a symbol, a reminder of what Jesus did. We try to respect each others beliefs, but I think it's funny how they are more welcome in our Protestant church than I am at their Catholic one!

33 posted on 04/16/2005 12:42:19 PM PDT by Former Fetus (fetuses are 100% pro-life, they just don't vote yet!)
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To: xone

Catholics can take communion in Protestant churches.


34 posted on 04/16/2005 12:46:03 PM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife (" It is not true that life is one damn thing after another-it's one damn thing over and over." ESV)
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To: Pan_Yans Wife; xone; Former Fetus

"Catholics can take communion in Protestant churches."

They should not - it is both idolatry and blasphemous to do so.


35 posted on 04/16/2005 1:44:28 PM PDT by narses (St James the Moor-slayer, Pray for us! +)
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To: narses

It's interesting, though. A Protestant would not declare another person unworthy of communion.

Then again, perhaps you are saying that the Catholic Church is the one true church and observing its rules and no other's is allowed.

I would disagree.


36 posted on 04/16/2005 1:51:35 PM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife (" It is not true that life is one damn thing after another-it's one damn thing over and over." ESV)
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To: Libertina

You have to be in Communion with the Catholic Church. You can't believe something other than what Catholics believe. I don't recieve Communion at other churches for the same reason. In the past I have been a soprano soloist at several Protestant churches, once I explained the situation no one seemed offended that I would abstain from recieving communion at their communion services. FWIW, Lutherans have the same restriction about recieving communion outside of their denomination. And, I suspect Episcopalians do as well.


37 posted on 04/16/2005 1:52:24 PM PDT by Diva
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To: Former Fetus

I'm pretty sure they are not suppose to take communion at your church.


38 posted on 04/16/2005 2:01:06 PM PDT by Diva
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To: biblewonk
Get a load o' this before it disappears. (A bottle opener, too!!)
39 posted on 04/16/2005 2:12:18 PM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
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To: Pan_Yans Wife

"A Protestant would not declare another person unworthy of communion."

The Catholic Church rarely does, however; she has laid rules out to protect those who have not been told the Good News correctly from eternal damnation. As I said above, even Catholics are not always allowed at the rail. If you are NOT in a State of Grace, the Body and Blood of Our Lord is not for you.


40 posted on 04/16/2005 2:15:00 PM PDT by narses (St James the Moor-slayer, Pray for us! +)
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