CITY FRANCISCANS MOVE TO PROTECT COMMUNION FROM MISUSE

Date Published: 25-Jul-2009

A city church is taking steps to protect the Communion Host from mis-use.

The Franciscan monks are appealing to massgoers in their latest bulletin not to remove the Eucharist from the church after receiving it at Communion.

A spokesperson told Galway Bay FM News that the move was prompted by a parishioner who thought they saw a person leaving the church with the Holy Communion.

The newsletter this week tells parishioners that it’s good practice that when people receive Communion on the hand they consume the Host on the spot.

It goes on to say “under no circumstances” must massgoers leave the Sanctuary area with the Host unconsumed.

The Franciscan spokesperson said they’re only asking people to be careful to take the Communion at the altar rails and they’ve no evidence of any regular mis-use of the Host.

An attempt by an American to sell consecrated Communion Host on eBay sparked outrage throughout the world four years ago.