Church warns vs feeding communion hosts to fighting cocks

MANILA, Philippines - For allegedly desecrating communion hosts by feeding them to their prized pets, some cockfighting aficionados in Albay province in Bicol face the prospect of excommunication. Fr. Paulo Barandon, vice rector of Our Lady of the Gate Parish, condemned the practice as he pointed out the host is already consecrated. "We have heard reports some irresponsible cockfighters have been feeding their fighting cocks with the Holy Eucharist believing such unacceptable, disrespectful practice would make their prized cocks win," Barandon said in a statement posted Tuesday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website. Barandon reminded his parishioners that anybody who fails the respect the Holy Eucharist will be subjected to excommunication. He said such feeding of hosts by some cockfighting aficionados is an "unacceptable" practice. "When the host has already been consecrated, it commands utmost respect," he stressed. Barandon said people who resort to the condemnable practice should be told of the extreme punishment awaiting them. Cockfighting has always been part of fiestas especially during the month of May. - GMANews.TV