Washington D.C., May 14, 2019 / 11:28 am
An Etsy representative has clarified that the sale of consecrated hosts for the purpose of desecration is a violation of the e-commerce website's terms.
A petition asking Etsy to confirm that it does not allow the sale of consecrated hosts gained thousands of signatures overnight, following a listing claiming to offer hosts to abuse.
On May 7, the Etsy account "Pentagora" claimed to be selling "Real Catholic Hosts, consecrated by a priest." The hosts were advertised "to abuse for classic black fairs or black magic purposes." The listing claimed to be selling a package of nine hosts that had been consecrated in Germany.
In the following days, the listing drew attention on Twitter, with critics arguing that it violated Etsy's policies. The popular online marketplace only allows for the sale of items that are handmade, vintage, or craft supplies. Stolen items are explicitly prohibited, as are items that "support or glorify hatred toward people or otherwise demean people based upon: race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation."