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purported to be a Host consecrated by Pope John Paul II and put up for sale on eBay, the on-line auctioneer, has been withdrawn, with the Host handed over to the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, where the seller is located [see previous story].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).
Nope, at least not our local branch of the Anglican church. They give communion to anybody that steps forward. I attended a partner's funeral and some where offended that I didn't step forward to participate. Strange reaction. I occasionally abstain from communion if I don't honestly believe I am "in communion" that week with my church. I am a KC and ardent supporter, but know that I am not always in the place I should be spiritually to partake. I just stay in my pew and pray.
Oh well, guess I am just an old coot.
No, we are saying that Protestants shall not receive the Body and Blood of Our Saviour in the Most Holy Communion. They would eat and drink their own condemnation according to scripture and Canon Law and the Church has too much mercy to allow them to do that.
Buy your own copy of the Code of Canon Law. Plainly Catholics may not receive communion in a Protestant church, as what they understand is merely a symbol and the 2000 year old Cathoich Church clearly and unwaveringly understands that Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Our Lord. Buy a copy of "Faith of our Father" as well.
Excuse my ignorance, but where do you read that in Scripture? As for Canon Law, this is man-made law.
But if you don't believe it's the Body of Christ, then why do you feel the need to receive it in a Catholic Church? I don't understand the angst about Catholics being non-inclusive. You are more than welcome to receive a blessing from the priest, and there are plenty of Catholics that do the same thing if they don't feel that they are in the proper state to receive communion.
But if you don't believe it's the Body of Christ, then why do you feel the need to receive it in a Catholic Church? I don't understand the angst about Catholics being non-inclusive. You are more than welcome to receive a blessing from the priest, and there are plenty of Catholics that do the same thing if they don't feel that they are in the proper state to receive communion.
11:23
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
11:24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
11:25
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
11:26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
11:27
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
11:28
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
11:29
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
He followed the lead of Klintoon!
I believe that communion is done in rememberance of Christ's sacrifie and it is a symbol of our faith. Protestants don't "check" someone's faith and determine who is or is not worthy of communion. Such determinations are left to God. So, communion is shared by all.
I don't believe that the host and wine are actually the body and the blood of Christ. That's where I have trouble. Is this written in the Bible?
Luke 22:19, "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ''This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." Jesus says the bread is his body and commands us to continue the sacrament (he doesn't say "This represents my body"). The other Last Supper accounts which say much the same thing (Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22, 24; 1 Cor 11:23-25 and Lk 22:19-20;).
There's also John 6:47-66. I won't quote the whole thing, but it's worth looking at. John 6:55 - "For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink".
1 Cor 10:16 says - "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?"
I dunno. You ever look at a box of those things (unconsecrated)? They're about as close to cardboard as you can get and still have it be edible. Wrapped up, it would likely keep just fine for many years.
I read the (many) replies and appreciate that (Catholics ?) took the time to answer. As to the question about taking communion, it is a CHRISTIAN action, not a Catholic one. All Christian churches believe that it is the Body of Christ. Why do you write as though Catholics have the goods on that more than anyone else? Do you think the rest of us Christians just look at Communion as a snack during the service? It seems so very haughty.
For a Christian church to deny Christian visitors communion is indefensible IMO. I lived in a place where I had no option but a Catholic church, so I should be denied communion because I was only a "Christian"? I have often heard people describe some believers as "Catholic" - not Christian - I can now begin to understand why.
FWIW, the rest of us "lowly" Protestants, Baptists, Episcopalians (Christians) etc. seem to get along fine. I cannot conceive of the elitism and discourteousness of telling a CHRISTIAN in my church that they were not welcome. While the replies to me have been fairly courteous, no doubt some Catholic poster here probably believes we non-Catholics shouldn't even be allowed to comment on this "private" thread...
Pan's wife... Ah a fellow "lowly" Christian. (Not Catholic) ;) Remember the part in Revelation where Jesus speaks to the Dead church, the Luke Warm church etc? I think here we have the Prideful Church.
Not all christian churches hold that the consecrated host is the actual, not symbolic, body of Christ.
I think not. I would never claim to be able to judge who is worthy to be in His church. That's His alone.
"All Christian churches believe that it is the Body of Christ."
No, sadly. What denomination are you?
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