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purported to be a Host consecrated by Pope John Paul II and put up for sale on eBay, the on-line auctioneer, has been withdrawn, with the Host handed over to the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, where the seller is located [see previous story].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).
Well, I'm glad they did... once they understood what it meant! OTOH, my mom did not appreciate her "little girl" not receiving communion in the Catholic church, based on the fact that I had been baptized and brought up Catholic. But I did not believe in transubstantiation and I was no longer a member of the Catholic church, so knowing what they believed, I did not go up for communion. They respected our beliefs and I respected theirs, what's wrong with that?
You don't ooze with Christian empathy, so why would I turn to you when my initial post wasn't directed towards you?
Depending upon the denomination, many people are told not to receive either outside of church or sometimes pulled aside before receiving. This is often done by the minister or some type of church elder. Many protestants consider communion to be quite sacred even if they don't believe that it is the physical body and blood of Jesus Christ.
I wasn't listing this church or that. I was describing people as members of a church.
Either way it was an erroneous generalization about a divergent grouping that could cause people to attempt to receive communion where they shouldn't. People should always seek permission before engaging in religious rites outside of their own. It's simple courtesy.
They should not - it is both idolatry and blasphemous to do so.
"Idolatry"? Why? Who in a Protestant church is worshiping a chunk of bread and shot-glass of grape juice? We leave that kind of activity to our Catholic friends. 8-)
Can't be said enough!
I'm thinking the seller had second thoughts and his conscious ruled.
Thank goodness...
I didn't realize only Catholics can receive the sacrament.
You do realize that you don't even know half the sins you commit in a day.
Same with me and every other Christian. We can't possibly be "absolved" of them all by talking to a priest prior to Communion.
All Scripture requires is us to discern the Lord's body rightly, which means to take the occassion damn seriously.
The man who kept the memento wafer obviously did not, and I feel he probably is drinking judgment upon himself for his loose treatment of the sacrament.
However, all that must be done is for us to discern our hearts and the Lord's body, what he did on that Cross.
Nobody can be perfect when taking part.
People shouldn't take part in communion until they know what it means...
With all due respect, the Catholic church is not 2000 years old. Perhaps 1700 years, but there is nothing to suggest Catholic doctrine and tradition was present in the early church after the death of Christ.
It gradually evolved later.
All my Prot church requires is that you belong to a Bible-believing church. We also have a statement about the importance of Communion so people understand what it means.
Distrubing that much is being sold.
On a positive note, these titles are available to learn about the enemy though.
So many deny that evil or satan exists. At least this stuff is being exposed.
That is a simplication. I am Presbyterian. We believe in the spiritual presence of Jesus, not the physical.
It is not merely a symbol. That is Baptist thinking.
However, we can scream all day about "this is my body" and "eat my flesh and drink my blood" and it will get us nowhere.
I will point out "do this in remembrance of me"...hardly a statement indicating a literal feast of Christ's skin, bone, joints etc. this is my body etc. are simply metaphors. It is like when you use something to stand for something else, you will tend to simply say "blank is blank," not "blank is the complete and full representation of blank," but that is what you mean.
I suspect eBay is well aware that it offends your beliefs. Whether it actually disrepects Christ is still open to interpretation.
Many Christians believe Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ disrespects Christ. Therefore, perhaps eBay should consider a ban on its sale, too.
You need to bone up on the meaning of metaphors and symbolism.
This is my body doesn't mean it was literally his body.
He used that phraseology when breaking the bread to symbolize.
Truly a dispicable comment.
Is the church going to stop him if he goes to the RCC for mass?
Maybe I will walk up to my local Catholic church and take part.
It isn't like they are going to know I am Protestant.
What are they going to do, throw me out?
I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I have a right to communion, even though when I arrive, I will know your version to be incorrect Biblically.
I find it funny that you think Catholics are the only people in which bigotry is allowed.
Your attacks on Protestants on this very thread show that to not be true. Prots can be assailed just as much.
America has a history of being against your church though, largely because your church was against America for most of our history.
Many think the the Passion violates the second commandment, but obviously Ebay isn't banning that. :)
Why do you think you have a "right" to Communion in a Roman Catholic church if you do not believe in RC teachings?
Excellent. I think you've made the statement of the evening that all (Catholic) Christians can agree on.
A rarity these days on the FR Religion Forum... ;)
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