A priest in Florida bit a woman’s hand during a physical altercation while he was administering Holy Communion to the congregants of his church on Sunday, May 19.
The incident between the priest and a female parishioner began at approximately 10 a.m. during Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in St. Cloud.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?
Per official report, the woman ‘came through Father Fidel Rodriguez’s Holy Communion line and appeared unaware of the proper procedure.’
‘After a brief exchange with the woman, it was determined that she was neither prepared nor disposed to participate in Communion,’ the statement continued.
‘Father Rodriguez gave the woman a blessing and advised her to receive the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) before coming back to receive Holy Communion (Eucharist).’
The same woman is said to have arrived at 12 p.m. for another Mass on Sunday and stood in Father Rodriguez’s Communion line when he asked her if she had been to the Sacrament of the Penance (Confession) to which she replied that ‘it was not his business.’
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WHY THE PRIEST BIT THE WOMAN
Father Rodriguez tried to offer the woman Holy Communion on the tongue, but the woman forcefully placed her hand in the vessel and grabbed some sacred Communion hosts, crushing them.
Having only one hand free, Father Rodriguez struggled to restrain the woman as she refused to let go of the hosts.
Then the woman pushed him and, reacting to a perceived act of aggression, Father Rodriguez bit her hand so she would let go of the hosts she grabbed.
The woman makes a statement at the police station. As it is, authorities have not yet charged the priest with any crimes though it is possible he could be charged pending the investigation.
Officials have not given any details on injuries the woman may have suffered during the altercation.
