Tuam Archdiocese to commission scientific analysis on Aughamore 'miracle' host

The Archdiocese of Tuam has issued a fresh statement on social media reports of a “Eucharist Miracle” which is claimed to have occurred in St. Joseph's Church, Aughamore, a number of weeks ago.

In a statement issued to Midwest Radio, the Archdiocese stated that the Holy Communion is the source and summit of our faith and, accordingly, they treat the Body of Christ with the utmost reverence and dignity.

It continued: "The Archdiocese acknowledges the honesty and integrity of everyone who has commented on recent reports as doing so in good faith.

"However, it is equally important to state that what has been reported is not an uncommon occurrence and so caution should be taken before drawing conclusions at this stage.

"For example, sometimes during the distribution of Holy Communion, a host may accidentally fall on the ground.

"The procedure is for that particular host to be respectfully removed, placed in water and allowed to dissolve and this can take some time.

"It has previously been reported from around the world that sometimes the water reacts with the host causing the water to discolour, or possibly causing a fungus-like matter to develop on the dissolving Host.

"There have also been reports from the United States and the United Kingdom of such Hosts being analysed by scientists.

"The final results are the same, namely that there is a wholly scientific explanation for such occurrences.

"Following consultation, and as an expression of the greatest of respect for those who have an interest in this matter, the Archdiocese of Tuam intends to commission a scientific analysis on this particular Host.

"In the meantime, the Archdiocese will not be making any further comment on this issue."

The initial reports claimed that the miracle occurred in the aftermath of a Eucharistic Minister accidentally dropped a consecrated host to the floor whilst administering Holy Communion.

It is further stated a priest placed the host into a small bowl of water to allow it to dissolve and, after checking it sometime later, he discovered the water was blood coloured.

He added some more water and then later saw that the host had taken on the appearance of bloody flesh tissue.

A photograph showing a blood-coloured host in a glass bowl is attached to a number of posts.