Minnesota professor encourages theft and desecration of Eucharist

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Associate professor of biology P.Z. Myers

Morris, MN, Jul 11, 2008 / 07:09 pm (CNA).- A Minnesota professor and science blogger has said he will personally desecrate the Eucharist and publish photos of the desecration on the internet if any of his readers acquire a consecrated Host and mail it to him. “I’ll show you sacrilege, gladly, and with much fanfare,” he has written.

Paul Zachary Myers, an associate professor of biology at the University of Minnesota at Morris, made the threat while commenting on a University of Central Florida incident in which a student senator stole and held hostage a consecrated Host from a June 29 Mass.

In the Florida incident, student senator Webster Cook presented himself at Sunday Mass to receive the Eucharist. According to wftv.com, Cook said he intended to take the consecrated Host back to his seat to show a curious friend. After being stopped on his return to his seat, he put the Host in his mouth but removed it upon sitting down.

He said a church leader grabbed his hands and tried to retrieve the Eucharist, after which he left with the Host. Cook filed an official abuse complaint with the UCF student court, while Catholic students filed other complaints alleging Cook engaged in disruptive conduct.

Cook stored the Eucharist in a Ziploc bag for a week and then returned it last Sunday.

"I want to thank the individuals who explained the emotional and spiritual pain my possession of the Eucharist caused them to experience," Cook wrote in a letter to the church, according to wftv.com. "They have demonstrated that the use [of] reason is more effective than the use of force."

He said some people had threatened to break into his room to retrieve the Eucharist. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Orlando said the diocese does not condone the threats but is happy Cook returned the Host.

Professor Myers criticized the incident in a derisive July 8 post on his science blog Pharyngula, hosted at scienceblogs.com. He also solicited his readers to acquire consecrated Hosts.

“Can anyone out there score me some consecrated communion wafers?” Myers wrote. “…if any of you would be willing to do what it takes to get me some, or even one, and mail it to me, I’ll show you sacrilege, gladly, and with much fanfare. I won’t be tempted to hold it hostage… but will instead treat it with profound disrespect and heinous cracker abuse, all photographed and presented here on the web.”

Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, on Thursday said that Myers’ blog could be accessed through a link on the University of Minnesota Morris web site. He noted that Myers’ remarks could be in violation of the university’s code of conduct, which requires faculty to be “respectful, fair and civil” when dealing with others.

Donohue also stated the Catholic League was contacting the Minnesota legislature because the university is a state institution.

“It is hard to think of anything more vile than to intentionally desecrate the Body of Christ,” he said. “We look to those who have oversight responsibility to act quickly and decisively.”

While a July 6 Google cache of the University of Minnesota Morris biology faculty listings showed a link to Myers’ Pharyngula blog, the link was removed as of Friday morning. According to Baylor professor Francis Beckwith, writing on the blog “What’s Wrong with the World,” the internet archive at web.archive.org shows that the University of Minnesota Morris biology faculty page had linked to Pharyngula since at least November 9, 2006.

Comments: 30

Subscriber comments:

Published by: joemomma
Eugene/Oregon/USA 04/11/2009 10:02 AM EST

so Bill Donohue says "It is hard to think of anything more vile than to intentionally desecrate the Body of Christ." Sure puts all those pedophile priests and their accomplice bishops in perspective, doesn't it?

Published by: M. Collett
SCotland 10/31/2008 02:37 PM EST

I am disgusted and horrified that you would advertise sacrilege re consecrated hosts.I ask you to discontinue this at once. This is God you are offending.May He forgive you and those who
are so blasphemous.

Published by: Dan Betlock
Bloomington MN 08/01/2008 02:47 PM EST

I attend daily Mass for the purpose of receiving the Holy Eucharist and the many graces our Lord gives to us through this sacrament. Our pastor recommended that we spend an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament asking our Lord for forgiveness in the way in which His body has been desecrated by this professor who is truly ignorant of Jesus and His teachings. Secondly, we need to prayer for this man for his conversion. May God have mercy on his soul when he takes his last breath.

Published by: cg
New York, NY 07/28/2008 08:49 PM EST

GD of Denver, where in the Gospels are we instructed to be passivists? Even, Christ, on occasion, got busy. I don't believe this is one of those 'turn the other cheek' situations, honestly.

Published by: Layla
New York, NY 07/25/2008 08:43 PM EST

Because, Gianna, Mr. Myers is no less human than the rest of us. However, unlike many of us, he can't tolerate the thought that there might be a God to Whom he may have to answer. He's trying to, you know, conquer his fear. In short, as you note intuitively, he's scared to death, really. And since he has claimed to have carried through with his threat, he may have real reason to be now.

Published by: Carlos
San Luis Obispo, CA 07/24/2008 12:02 PM EST

Just look at Myers' photo. Take a close gander at his eyes. Something is clearly broken...

Published by: Ed S
Austin, Texas 07/17/2008 11:16 PM EST

What Dr. Myer proposes is, of course, sacrilegious. As a Catholic theologian, however, I would have to say that whatever damage is done is not done to Jesus--it is done to the one who desecrates.

However, and this may be a more beneficial approach, what he proposes to do is clearly an attack on the beliefs of a particular group. It is more than a statement of disagreement; it is a hate crime.

Published by: LFK
Springfield, MO, USA 07/17/2008 07:39 AM EST

I am almost more disturbed by some of the comments than by the heinous plot of Dr. Myer. One writer claims that Christ is only present for the sacramental use; therefore, what Dr. Myer proposes is nothing to get upset about. Another says that once a consecrated object is profaned, it is no longer sacred. Yet another commentator urges us to do nothing that would draw any attention to this evil, as if we were talking about trying to avoid glorifying a disrespectful movie. We are further cautioned not to stick our noses into another's business. Catholics, WAKE UP! The Eucharist is not a mere object; it is nothing less (or more, as in bread and wine) than the Body, Soul, Blood, and Divinity of our dear Jesus, the same one who died on the cross and rose again three days later. That is why this great Sacrament is called the source and summit of the Christian life. It remains Him until the accidents under which He is veiled no longer exist, as in digestion or decomposition. If you don't believe me, check out the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Now meditate on this great truth. Prof. Myers proposes the abuse of our Lord, our God, our Love. And we are supposed to remain quiet? What do we hold dear? Who is more worthy of our putting up a defense? We should protest, and vehemently. We must also pray to Our Lady, Mother of the Eucharist for this professor and all like him, for their souls are in danger of damnation. We must pray for ourselves and our faithfulness.

Published by: Keepers
Detroit/MI/USA 07/15/2008 12:07 PM EST

I have peeked in on the Pharyngula website in the past. What I saw was a lot of anti-Catholic rhetoric. Mentioning a belief in God will immediately lead to you being insulted and attacked. The amount of hate on that particular site is obvious. Almost as obvious is a general unwillingness to hear the truth about the things they like to attack.

Published by: Raymond Peringer
Toronto, Canada 07/15/2008 11:58 AM EST

Catholics should not get too upset by the antics of a misfit.

The Church has always been plagued by people like Prof. Myers who seems like a victim of an unresolved quirk.

I was taught that the instant a consecrated object is abused, it is no longer sacred.

Published by: jennifer
mumbai 07/15/2008 12:05 AM EST

Mr. Cook,
It seems to me that the Lord Jesus has touched you through the people who explained their hurt and pain at your desecration of His Body. I think it is time that you now convinced the so-called professor that what he is planning is demonic. god will bless and reward you for it, i am sure.
thank you for returning the host and for returning to your new found faith in christ.

Published by: clockwatcher
Taylor/MI/USA 07/14/2008 07:27 PM EST

I have heard that when evangelizing, you have to meet people where they are at. Having said that, I wonder if Mr. Myers would mind if people desecrated a picture of his mother or another loved one and then posted the results? I know it's not even a close comparrison (consecrated host vs a picture of a person) but maybe it's something Mr. Myers could understand.

Published by: Chris
Salem, MA 07/14/2008 03:23 PM EST

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ~ James 1:2-4

Let us rejoice in the opportunity from God to resist this temptation of evil, and turn the wrath the Tempter seeks from us into prayer for Justice, and strength to persevere.

Published by: Michael Garner
Maryville, TN 07/14/2008 03:18 PM EST

Mark Loest,

I hope you are not serious. It is heresy to state that the presence of our Lord ceases outside of the Mass.

Published by: GD
Denver, CO 07/14/2008 01:09 PM EST

It is only through the publishing of this comment and the constant badgering bestowed upon this man that his comments carry any weight. It is as if the devil has given you things to focus on to keep you from seeing the truth behind Christ's death. While I have the utmost respect for the Eucharist as it is the body of Christ, do not forget that it is the spirit of sacrifice that Christ wants us to immitate. The Eucharist calls us in it's holiness to sacrifice of our own body and mind to serve God.

Pray for this man. Do not email him, or the University. Do not petition the legislator, do not even acknowledge the incident. Remember that it was St. Paul who implored us to ignore the business of outsiders. This man obviously doesn't believe, his heart is hardened with pride and vanity. You are only further hardening it by playing along. Are we here to harden hearts? Remember, evangelization cannot come through viciousness.

Personally, I think someone should deliver him a Eucharist with the following note: You hold in your hand the living God, come to earth to save our mortal souls for no reason other than love. If you can desecrate such an act of beauty than you share the fate of many other who have chosen self over all else.

Remember, taking communion in mortal sin is more desecrating to the eucharist than what this man proposes. Look to yourself before you cast stones at Professor Myers.

Published by: JIm Doerfler
Ashland, OH USA 07/14/2008 12:35 PM EST

Jesus warned his followers of persecution. As we have recognized that we are the beneficiaries of our redemption by his sacrifice on the cross, we must forgive this man and ask the Holy Spirit to come into him.

Published by: Maryanne Leonard
Westlake Village, CA 07/14/2008 12:19 PM EST

I call upon my fellow Catholics to demand the resignation of this man. Write to the president of the university, letters to the editor of all the newspapers you can think of, blog about this, and stand up for ourselves and more importantly, for Jesus Christ. Oh yes, and for freedom of religion in the USA.

Published by: NGJ
Seattle 07/14/2008 12:13 PM EST

This is demonic!

If Christ appeared suddenly in place of the host and looked into the person's eyes with love I believe that person would either be converted instantly or die on the spot! This is not a joke. Those who desecrate the Eucharist are in mortal danger. I will pray for you. May God have mercy on your soul!

Published by: stan
pittsburgh, pa, usa 07/14/2008 11:53 AM EST

"Father forgive them for they know not what they do"

Published by: Elaine Gerard
Little Rock, AR, USA 07/14/2008 11:31 AM EST

May God forgive Professor Myers. He will be in my prayers from this day forward.

Published by: Roy Edwards
Goodlettsville, TN / USA 07/14/2008 10:53 AM EST

If this associate professor, Paul Zachary Myers acts this vilely toward the Sacred Eucharist of at least 1 Billion people worldwide, I would hate to see how he conducts himself to the limited audiences within his classroom settings. I sincerely hope that those of a superior status above him within the University of Minnesota Morris will see fit to give him a lesson in appropiate conduct and behavior, more becoming of someone who is supposedly to be an example of higher learning. Surely, I would hope, this is not indicative of a "respectful, fair and civil" standard when dealing with others within this University.

Published by: Mike Malone
Glenwood, IA 07/14/2008 10:42 AM EST

I read exerpts from the professor's post. It is hard to believe that such an accomplished academic could make such stupid comments. His comments violate the University of Minnesota's 'Code of Conduct' and he should be censored accordingly. To that end I have written a letter of complaint to the professor, the president of the university and to each member of the Board of Regents. I'll be watching closely to see what corrective action the university takes.

Mike Malone

Published by: Richard
Los Gatos, CA USA 07/14/2008 03:00 AM EST

Funny. Initial reports of the sort of threats the guy who took the host - Cook - received were described as death threats. Now we hear that people threatened to break into his room and take back the host. A friend of Cook even spoke for the news who gloried in pointing out an apparent self-contradiction about how Catholic student resorted to "violence" in order to get back what they believed to be the body and blood of a "pacifist". I love what Cook then wrote in his letter about use of reason being more powerful than use of force when he used force, not reason, to take the host and keep it in a location inaccessible to others - all the while knowing it was disagreeable to the Catholics to do so. Couldn't he have just used reason with the Catholics as to why he should have the host? Shouldn't the use of reason - and not keeping the host behind locked doors for a week - have been enough for him to hold the host hostage?

Published by: Luigi
Peru 07/13/2008 08:52 PM EST

How does He dare treat the Holy body of Christ in such a way.

Does he not know he can burn in Hell for his audacity. He may think is hilarious, but is not. Far from it. Prof. P.Z. Myers has endangered his immortal soul by doing this. May God give him the light to see otherwise. THE BODY OF CHRIST WILL NOT BE DESCREATED.

MAY THE VIRGIN INTERCEDE FOR HIM SO HE MAY REPENT AND BE FORGIVEN.

Published by: Mark Loest
Saginaw, Michigan, USA 07/12/2008 07:07 PM EST

If this is true, then this man proves nothing for outside of the sacramental use, there is no sacrament. The Sacrament of the Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us Christians to eat and to drink. It is neither for parading around or retaining or adoring but for eating and drinking. Christ intends that the Sacrament be consumed by the believer. Outside of the sacramental use (the commemoration of Christ's death by the faithful) there is only bread and wine. And for the believer, Christ's own words are "given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." For the unbeliever there is judgment (1 Corinthians 11) God is not mocked, Galatians 6.

Published by: makemeaspark
USA 07/12/2008 03:21 PM EST

I emailed one of the people there at the science website, a Mr. Brayton, just describing for them what the Eucharist means to me and other Catholics in a polite manner. I appealed to them to kindly respect our beliefs.

I urge others here to defend Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist also. He suffered for us and we can certainly stand up for him in front of some bloggers.

Published by: Jeff Johnson
Collegeville 07/12/2008 09:18 AM EST

I just wrote this professor yesterday, with a claim and a question.

Of course the claim is that contempt for the Catholic Church in the United States is epidemic, and his shrill vitriol is simply more evidence of this.

I asked him if he would ever consider defiling something from the Jewish tradition, or from the nation of Islam.

He has not written me back.

For years I have encouraged my precious students to consider the college he teaches at; I will never do that again.

Published by: Michael R
Emporia, KS, USA 07/11/2008 09:58 PM EST

May I recommend as an edifying counter-balance to these offensive incidents that people read the excellent short story, "The Hint of an Explanation" by Graham Greene.

Published by: Ron Pichlik
Battle Creek, MI USA 07/11/2008 08:15 PM EST

Persons should immediately contact the University of Minnesota and demand that this man either issue as public an apology and retraction of his "offer" to desecrate the Eucharist, or that if he refuses to publicly apologize for his disgusting, insulting and offensive behavior that the university should take immediate action against this man.

By the way this episode makes clear that it may be way past time for the Church to start removing the non-members in attendance at Mass at the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word; so we can avoid this type of problem.

Published by: Gianna
St.Louis MO,US 07/11/2008 07:54 PM EST

Mr.Paul Zachary Myers-

Why are you scared of this piece of bread if to you it is nothing???

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