May 24th 2024.
On a peaceful Sunday morning at Thomas Aquinas Church in St Cloud, Florida, a shocking incident occurred. As Father Fidel Rodriguez was performing the sacred Communion, an unidentified woman approached him to receive it but was unexpectedly denied. The reason? She was allegedly dressed inappropriately or may have had certain personal preferences that went against the priest's beliefs.
In a police body cam footage obtained by WFTV, the woman can be heard saying, "He wouldn't give me the cookie. I don't know if it was the way I was dressed, or if it is what I like." According to a witness at the ceremony, the woman was denied due to her sexuality and attire, and this triggered a confrontational situation between her and Father Fidel.
The witness further claimed that the priest even tried to shove the wafer representing the body of Christ into the woman's mouth, causing her to back away and try to take it from him. This resulted in Father Fidel going "crazy" and biting the woman in self-defense.
In light of this shocking incident, police have recommended that Father Fidel be charged with battery. However, the priest had his own side of the story. He explained to the authorities that the woman seemed unfamiliar with the process of receiving Communion and he denied her the bread because of that. He also claimed that she attempted to grab the wafer from his hand, leading to a heated altercation.
Father Fidel also clarified that his actions were not based on the woman's sexual orientation, as he was not aware of it at the time. "I am not judging you; I am asking you; did you confess after mass? If you did not confess, I cannot give you Communion," he told the authorities. He then admitted, "I bit her, I am not denying that. I am defending myself and the sacrament."
The Diocese, in their own account of the incident, shared that Father Fidel had asked the woman if she had been to Confession, to which she replied that it was none of his business. The Diocese stated, "Father Rodriguez offered the woman Holy Communion on the tongue. At that point, 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."
Following this, the woman was asked to leave the church. This incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about religious beliefs, tolerance, and respect for one's personal choices. It is not the only bizarre incident to happen recently at a place of worship in the US, reminding us to always approach situations with empathy and understanding. Stay tuned to Metro for the latest updates on this story and other breaking news. Don't forget to join our community on Whatsapp for more juicy stories.
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