December 16 - BREAKING: Investigation Concludes in Salt Lake City ‘Eucharistic Miracle’
Article:
Signs And
Wonders|
A month-long investigation into a miraculous "bleeding Host" in Salt Lake City has concluded, and results show no actual miracle took place. Following reports in November from the pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church in Kearns, Utah that a consecrated Host appeared to be bleeding, an ad hoc committee designated by the diocese of Salt Lake City undertook an investigation of the claims.
A summary published Wednesday (but dated Friday, December 18) by committee chairman Msgr. M. Francis Mannion states that the "thorough investigation has concluded that the Host did not bleed, but the change of appearance in the host was due to red bread mold."
After three days, a blood-like substance began to appear on the Host, and word of the alleged miracle quickly spread, resulting in several days of public veneration before the investigative committee formed by diocesan administrator Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw took posssession of it.
Following this examination the scientist, aided by a "blind observer," discerned "the observed change in the Host could be satisfactorily and conclusively explained by natural causes, namely the growth of what is commonly known as 'red bread mold,' or red bacteria." Mannion then went on to officially declare "the observed change in the Host was not miraculous."
