Posts Tagged ‘Eucharist’

Receiving Communion Is “Hazing”

Monday, July 14th, 2008

The ruckus over the kidnapped Eucharist at the University of Central Florida continues. Now the admitted kidnapped has filed hazing charges against the Campus Ministries religious group. The University bans forced eating or drinking as hazing. The kidnapper maintains that being told to consume the Eucharist at Mass and not to leave with it constitutes hazing.

WFTV Channel 9

Cook said his hazing complaint cited a UCF anti-hazing policy banning the forced consumption of any food in which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with a University of Central Florida organization may be directly or indirectly conditioned.

The rule, presumably, was intended to prevent fraternities from force-feeding pledges disgusting food. But Cook said the rule is clear and applies to all UCF clubs, including the Catholic Campus Ministries religious group. He insists the group is guilty because members ordered him to consume the Eucharist to remain at Mass.

The Diocese of Orlando declined to comment about the charges.

“Appropriate officials of the University of Central Florida are investigating the matter and due process is occurring,” said a spokesperson.

Nearly two weeks after the incident, UCF spokesman Grant Heston confirmed the school was still reviewing the charges and had not yet decided whether they would be dismissed or brought through a formal trial conducted by administrators with UCF’s Office of Student Conduct.

As tasteless as this episode is, we must remember that nothing can hurt the Body of Christ. All this young man has done is added to his sins on Judgment Day. As for the University taking two weeks to review the charges, it must have occurred to them that this mess is not going away by now. Toss out the hazing charge and charge the kidnapper for his disruption of a sanctioned event.