Monsignor Augustine
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purported to be a Host consecrated by Pope John Paul II and put up for sale on eBay, the on-line auctioneer, has been withdrawn, with the Host handed over to the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, where the seller is located [see previous story].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).
Thank you, Monsignor Augustine!
Catholic Ping
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I love a happy ending. Thanks for passing this along.
OMG! As a Non-Catholic he should have NEVER gone up for Holy Communion...PERIOD!
No offense, but are you saying that CHRISTIANS cannot take communion in a "Catholic" (Christian) church? This is one area where I think Catholics need to re-assess their dogma.
He went TWICE!
What a piece of work!
That's what they believe.
Understand that the Catholic Church believes that the host and wine are the Body and Blood of Christ (Transubstantiation) Other Christian denominations use the host as merely a "represntative" of that.
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.
There is no re-assessment needed.
No offense, but are you saying that CHRISTIANS cannot take communion in a "Catholic" (Christian) church?
Even many Catholics should not take Communion in the Catholic Church. Unless you have confessed your sins and been absolved of them leading you into a State of Grace, it is a MORTAL SIN to take and eat of the Flesh of Our Lord. If you are a validly baptized Christian and you present yourself to the Lord in the Sacrament of Penance with true sorrow for your sins and abjure the errors of your apostasy, then you too may accept the actual Body and Blood of Our Lord. I pray that you do so.
This is one area where I think Catholics need to re-assess their dogma.
Since the Dogma is a direct COMMAND from God Himself, that simply cannot happen.
Thanks for the update. So glad it ended this way!
Why do people who disagree with Catholic dogma think the Church needs to 'rethink' her dogma? Perhaps those who disagree ought to just disagree and participate in faith communities that are a nice comfy fit for them. I like Catholicism in part because it makes me UNcomfortable! Far from a crutch, my faith is a constant challenge to step up and do the right thing.
He must think the sacrament of Holy Communion is like a salad bar or something.
Maybe he went up three or four times!
(Random photo from Internet)
'but are you saying that CHRISTIANS cannot take communion in a "Catholic" (Christian) church'
Why would any Christian who is not Catholic WANT to take communion in a Catholic Church?
That might sound funny to you. But, it's a sad reality of the times we live in.
I was in the "Religion Section" of Borders Books a couple days ago. There were shelfs full books on wicca, witchcraft and satanism.
They wouldn't be for sale if they weren't selling,
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