Florida man busted after stealing 15 Holy Communion wafers

[didymus]

thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1110082body1.html

Florida man busted after stealing 15 Holy Communion wafers

NOVEMBER 10–Meet Jonathan Ricci. The Florida man was arrested Saturday morning after he allegedly tried to steal “a handful of communion wafers” from a priest at a Catholic church in Jensen Beach. Ricci, 33, sought to swipe 15 wafers valued at $1, according to a Martin County Sheriff’s Office report, a copy of which you’ll find here. During mass at around 9 AM, Ricci accepted a wafer on the Communion line, but “walked away without taking the communion into his mouth.” After refusing a priest’s requests to “accept” the wafer, Ricci “turned to the priest and grabbed a handful of the wafers from the plate and attempted to leave” St. Martin de Porres Church, according to the report. “Due to the religious significance of the holy communion, the parishioners were very upset at his callous treatment of their holy ritual” and sought to detain him. An “enraged” Ricci then began to act “crazy” and scuffled with parishioners, two of whom (men aged 82 and 66) sustained minor injuries. Ricci, pictured in the below mug shot, was charged with theft, battery, and disrupting a religious assembly.

You go, old folks, nail that perp!
Interesting that in Florida “disturbing a religious assembly” a separate crime. The ACLU must be asleep at the wheel.

I just noticed on the police report the value of the “stolen property” is given as $1. Well, for unconsecrated wafers, sure. I hope the “wafers” aren’t being locked up in some evidence room

 

[Devoutness]

Was he just some crazy guy or was there some hateful intention behind it.

 

[Holly3278]

Wow. That is really sad that he tried to steal those Communion wafers. I pray that he will repent of his sin.

 

[Sabbath_Keeper]

Not much there to tell his side of what was going on. Ya think maybe the guy was just HUNGRY. I can think of some famous old testament character that sort of did the samething, or do we consider ourselves better then our biblical counterparts? Why not wait to pass judgment until the whole story has been presented?

 

[GailMac]

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray and do Thou O Prince of the Heavenly host, but the power of God, cast down to Hell satan, and all the evil spirits who prowl around the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Peace,

Gail

 

[puzzleannie]

Not much there to tell his side of what was going on. Ya think maybe the guy was just HUNGRY. I can think of some famous old testament character that sort of did the samething, or do we consider ourselves better then our biblical counterparts? Why not wait to pass judgment until the whole story has been presented?

the whole story has been widely presented in the press, and no one is passing judgement. it appears the man was seriously disturbed and no sinister motive beyond that is attributed. regardless of his motives, the parishioners acted properly in preventing desecration of the sacred species.

 

[Lainey63]

Not much there to tell his side of what was going on. Ya think maybe the guy was just HUNGRY. I can think of some famous old testament character that sort of did the samething, or do we consider ourselves better then our biblical counterparts? Why not wait to pass judgment until the whole story has been presented?

If you care to read up more on the story go to www.tcpalm.com. Sorry, (I don’t know how to link). On the right hand side you will also see the police and arrest reports. There are also other news reports with links that have even more detail. Trust me this man was not hungry. There are several instances throughout the course of Catholic history that people have laid down their lives in order to defend and protect the Holy Eucharist. I think to have done nothing would be inline with another biblical character…Pontious Pilate. Everyday I pray that little prayer…Oh my Jesus I firmly believe that Thou Art Truly Present Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity in the Most Blessed Sacrament…it’s time to walk the talk. Also, the Constitution gives us the God given right to practice my faith in freedom and Florida law makes it illegal to disrupt any religious assembly. There’s so much more I could say…but I’ll get off my soapbox…for now anyway.