Diocese of Orlando Defends Priest Accused of Biting Woman During Mass

ST. CLOUD, Fla. (AP) — The Diocese of Orlando is defending a Catholic priest who is accused of biting a woman during a confrontation over Holy Communion wafers at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in St. Cloud, central Florida.

The incident occurred Sunday afternoon during Mass. Police have forwarded a report to prosecutors accusing Father Fidel Rodriguez of misdemeanor battery. However, no formal charges have been filed, and the priest has not been arrested.

Incident Details and Diocese Statement

“While the Diocese of Orlando does not condone physical altercations such as this, in good faith, Father Rodriguez was simply attempting to prevent an act of desecration of the Holy Communion, which, as a priest, Father Rodriguez is bound by duty to protect,” the diocese said in a statement on Thursday.

The altercation began when a woman, whose name was redacted from the police report, told officers that Rodriguez initially refused to grant her Communion during a Sunday morning service. When she returned that afternoon, she claimed Rodriguez tried to forcefully place the Communion wafer in her mouth, prompting her to grab another wafer from the priest. She alleged that Rodriguez then grabbed her and bit her arm.

Priest’s Account and Church Doctrine

When police arrived at the church, Rodriguez explained that he bit the woman in self-defense and to protect the sanctity of the Communion. He stated that the woman had attended an earlier Mass, but he denied her Communion because she did not appear to understand the requirements for participating in the ritual. The Catholic faith holds that the Communion bread is the body of Jesus Christ, and any act that disrespects it is considered sacrilegious.

According to Rodriguez, when the woman returned to a later service and attempted to receive Communion again, she pushed him and grabbed a handful of wafers from the tray he was holding. In his effort to prevent what he viewed as a desecration of the Holy Communion, Rodriguez said he grabbed her arm and bit her when she refused to release the bread.

Eyewitness Accounts and Video Evidence

Bystanders intervened and separated the priest and the woman. Witnesses at the service corroborated Rodriguez’s account and provided video evidence of the confrontation. The video reportedly supports Rodriguez's version of events, showing the woman trying to take the Communion wafers from the tray and the subsequent struggle.

Church and Legal Implications

The incident has raised questions about the appropriate measures for protecting religious sacraments and the boundaries of physical intervention in such cases. The Diocese of Orlando's defense of Father Rodriguez emphasizes the priest's duty to protect the sanctity of the Communion, reflecting the seriousness with which the Catholic Church views the ritual.

As the legal process unfolds, the case highlights the challenges faced by religious leaders in maintaining the sanctity of religious practices while navigating interactions with parishioners. The outcome will likely influence how similar incidents are handled in the future, balancing respect for religious traditions with adherence to legal standards.

Community Reactions and Broader Implications

The community has shown mixed reactions to the incident, with some parishioners supporting Father Rodriguez's actions, while others express concern over the physical altercation. This event underscores the need for clear guidelines and training for clergy on handling disputes during sacred rituals, ensuring that such situations are managed with sensitivity and respect for all individuals involved.

Conclusion

The Diocese of Orlando's defense of Father Fidel Rodriguez underscores the complexity of the situation, where religious duty and legal boundaries intersect. As the case progresses, it will serve as a critical examination of the measures taken to protect religious sacraments and the legal implications of physical altercations within a sacred context. The support from witnesses and video evidence will play a crucial role in determining the outcome and guiding future conduct in similar circumstances.