It was bacteria — not a miracle — on a communion wafer in US church
MORRIS, Indiana: A laboratory analysis turned up nothing miraculous about red marks found on a Communion wafer at a Catholic church in Indiana.
The discovery at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Morris was unusual enough for a formal inspection, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis said.
But a biochemical analysis revealed only 'fungus and three different species of bacteria, all of which are commonly found on human hands,' the archdiocese said Monday, adding that no blood was found.
The Catholic faith teaches that wine and a bread wafer signify the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Typically, they're consecrated by a priest at Mass.
The host, or bread, with red marks had fallen out of a Mass kit at St. Anthony Church.
'Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, there have been well-documented miracles and apparitions, and each has been thoroughly and carefully reviewed,' the archdiocese said.
Before the analysis, some members of St. Anthony Church were excited about what might be found.
'We have such a little town. You can drive through and blink and you're through it,' Shari Strassell, a church member, told WKRC-TV. 'It means the world, it does, and I think there is something special about our church up here.'
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Asharq Al-Awsat
30-05-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
From the Greek Stable Boy to Josef Mengele?
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Why do we fall in love with those two particular black eyes and not others in the world? Why do we feel the grace of friendship with this or that particular individual out of billions of human beings? Why do we like the voice of this singer and not the other and the poetry of this poet and not another? How is it that we can paint reasonably well but sing worse than a frog? Some areas of human existence must be allowed to retain the mystery that they have always enjoyed in the mystical chiaroscuro of the human condition. We should not decree love, friendship and talent. Nor should we try to decree death. Euthanasia, a Greek word, means 'mercy killing' and was initially coined to describe the administration of the coup de grace to badly wounded horses. Human beings, however, cannot be treated the same way as horses. Nor can a doctor of medicine act like a stable boy.
Leaders
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Pope's Final Wish: Transforming Popemobile into Health Clinic for Gaza Children
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Asharq Al-Awsat
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Pope Francis's Popemobile Set to Become Health Clinic for Gaza Children
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