Posted on 03/24/2006 6:06:40 AM PST by marshmallow
DALLAS. A “host” kept in a jar of water for four weeks grew fungus and bacterial colonies in a natural process, a laboratory report concluded about an incident in a local parish church that created public speculation.
A March 23 letter from Dallas Bishop Charles Grahmann to the pastor of St. James Parish relayed that what some were calling a ‘miracle’ of a host “contains nothing of a supernatural nature.”
The letter to Msgr. Mario Magbanua states: “At my request the object you submitted to me, around which there was heightened publicity, was presented to Dr. Marcy Brown Marsden, chairman and associate professor of biology, University of Dallas, and Dr. Frank Doe of the same department, for tentative identification and characterization of the object.”
The bishop said that after analysis was done he was provided with their conclusion.
They told the bishop: “We conclude that the object is a combination of fungal mycelia and bacterial colonies that have been incubated within the aquatic environment of the glass during the four-week period in which it was stored in the open air.”
The bishop further wrote: ““From this conclusion the phenomenon was of the natural order and contains nothing of a supernatural nature. Thus, you need to remove yourself from any further activity surrounding this matter and its exaggerated claims.”
The incident began about a month ago when a young boy received the Eucharist at Mass and then became sick in the restroom. Ushers who checked on him found the intact host in the bin.
The ushers reportedly summoned Msgr. Magbanua, who came to retrieve the host. He put the host in water to dissolve, where it remained unseen until March 19. Its appearance had changed, viewers said.
Within hours people were coming to the church to see the host, which is located in a low-income area and has approximately 2,000 registered parishioners.
Fueled by telephone and e-mail stories saying a miracle had occurred, as well as media reports, curious scores of the faithful hoping to see something extraordinary began to show up.
Among those was Shirley Vilfordi, a member of St. Rita Parish in Dallas. She was among those who suggested people should not be too quick to rush to conclusions, and thanked those who took quick action to discover the truth.
“We praise God for our beloved church who wants to investigate these things thoroughly rather than falsely mislead the faithful,” Vilfordi said as the investigation was ongoing.
There have been other cases in past years when a host received fungal and/or bacteria contamination when it was not properly consumed and/or disposed.
Church officials said the matter is now closed and called on faithful to end any further speculation.
Why should I be? There is some truth hidden in that poem.
Be respectful in your comments. I insist.
Spherical, nacreous mollusk secretions.
Suidae.
;'}
Oh boy. Not 'here they go again time," is it?
I don't dare look at the link. I am trying to have a nice day.
Yes. The truth is that certain people think ignorance is clever.
SD
You still haven't answered me. Am I saved by my belief, or not?
No it's a stupid poem meant to deceive. Valid "matter" for the Eucharist is bread made from wheat flour and water and nothing else. By adding, "HALF AN OUNCE OF ARSENIC", as the tale suggests, would invalidate the matter and no Consecration would take place and every faithful Roman Catholic priest would know this. The author of this "tale" has a tail of his own, and hooves.
If you die in a state of sanctifying grace you will be saved.
Nice sidestep. Answer the question, am I saved by my belief as stated in the Apostles Creed?
And even if it were valid matter, the substance change to the Body and Blood of Christ would still adhere to the accidents of poison bread.
So this demonstrates nothing except ignorance. No two ways about it.
SD
You are saved by grace. The Apostle's Creed nor the Bible posit salvation by faith alone. I demonstrated that above from 1 John.
SD
Am I saved, am I saved?
Don't ask posters here, ask Him.
I know I am saved by grace, but it was infered that heretical beliefs would cancel that out (post 60). I want to here from her what heretical beliefs will keep me from God.
A citation, please.
SD
Romans 5:2
Romans 11:6
Ephesians 2:8
Note: none of them say saved by grace through faith and church, faith and alms, faith and good works, etc. Nope, faith alone.
How true. My faith is demonstrated by my works. However, my works do not give me faith.
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