A
priest in Florida bit a woman’s hand during a physical altercation while he was
administering Holy Communion to the congregants of his church, officials said.
The
incident between the priest and a female parishioner began at approximately 10
a.m. on Sunday, May 19, during Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in St. Cloud,
Florida.
The
woman “came through Father Fidel Rodriguez’s Holy Communion line and appeared
unaware of the proper procedure,” according to a statement released by the
Diocese of Orlando.
“After a brief exchange with the woman, it was
determined that she was neither prepared nor disposed to participate in
Communion,” the statement said.
“Father Rodriguez gave the woman a blessing
and advised her to receive the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) before coming
back to receive Holy Communion (Eucharist).”
The
same woman is said to have arrived at 12 p.m. for another Mass on Sunday and
stood in Father Rodriguez’s Communion line when he asked her if she had been to
the Sacrament of the Penance (Confession) to which she replied that “it was not
his business,” according to the Diocese of Orlando.
“Father Rodriguez offered the woman Holy
Communion on the tongue,” church officials said.
“At that point, the woman forcefully placed
her hand in the vessel and grabbed some sacred Communion hosts, crushing them.
Having
only one hand free, Father Rodriguez struggled to restrain the woman as she refused
to let go of the hosts.
Then
the woman pushed him and, reacting to a perceived act of aggression, Father
Rodriguez bit her hand so she would let go of the hosts she grabbed.
The
woman was immediately asked to leave, according to the Diocese of Orlando’s
statement.
“It should be noted Father Rodriguez had no
prior knowledge of the woman’s background,” officials said.
“Further, while the Diocese of Orlando does
not condone physical altercations such as this, in good faith, Father Rodriguez
was simply attempting to prevent an act of desecration of the Holy Communion,
which, as a priest, Father Rodriguez is bound by duty to protect.”
The
woman makes a statement at the police station
Authorities
have not yet charged the priest with any crimes though it is possible he could
be charged pending the investigation.
Officials
have not given any details on injuries the woman may have suffered during the
altercation.
The
Priest being questioned by police
In the
Catholic tradition, the Eucharist is considered “the source and summit” of
worship and faith, said the Diocese of Orlando.
“The act of participation in Holy Communion
therefore calls for a proper understanding, reverence, and devotion.”
Witness
plays video of the incident for police
“The
Diocese of Orlando believes all people of all faiths should be respected and that
their religious ceremonies or services should never be disrupted,” officials
said.
The
Diocese of Orlando has said they will not comment any further on the incident
and the investigation is currently ongoing.
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