Miracles happen. The ‘bleeding’ Host wasn’t one

Dec 23, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY: Red bread mold, and not a miracle, caused the changed appearance of a Eucharistic host that some said was bleeding, an inquiry by the Diocese of Salt Lake City has confirmed.

The diocese reaffirmed the miraculous nature of every Mass and stressed the need for Catholics to avoid “rash speculation” about miraculous claims.

“In the history of the Church, by Divine Providence, miracles have taken place. The sole purpose of a miracle is to bring about good,” Monsignor M. Francis Mannion said in the diocese’s statement Dec. 16.

“False claims of miracles, on the other hand, cause harm to the faithful and damage the Church’s credibility. While not dismissing the possibility of miracles, understanding the potential harm of hastily jumping to conclusions should cause all the faithful, lay and clergy alike, to act with great prudence.”

The priest, who chaired the diocese’s ad hoc committee  investigating the alleged miracle, also emphasized the real miracle at every Mass.

“Catholics should take this opportunity to renew their faith and devotion in the great miracle of the Real Presence which takes place at every Eucharist,” Msgr. Mannion said.

The report concerned a Host at St Francis Xavier Church in Kearns, a Salt Lake City suburb. During Holy Communion at the church Nov 8, a member of the congregation returned to the celebrant a consecrated Host that was not consumed because it had been given to a child who had not received her first Holy Communion. The priest then placed the Host in an ablution bowl for it to dissolve.

After several days the Host developed a red colour. Some parishioners said the Host appeared to be bleeding.

The diocesan administrator, Msgr Colin F. Bircumshaw, appointed an ad hoc committee to investigate. Committee members included experts in Catholic theology, canon law, molecular biology, and ministry.  -- CNA