Okay.
Recently the worst eBay auction EVER was conducted.
I’m not going to link to it because I don’t want other folks linking to it.
I don’t want other folks linking to it because it will only popularize the idea and give ideas to others who might be inclined to do the same thing, which would result in further desecrations (which right there ought to tell an educated Catholic what someone sold on eBay).
Incidentally, in case folks are wondering, for a Catholic to procure the subject of an auction of this nature would incur automatic excommunication reserved to the Holy See. This did not apply to the person who conducted the auction in question–apparently–because he is not a Catholic and thus not a subject of canon law, though God will show him the error of his ways in the end.
UPDATE: I should clarify that the excommunication would not apply to one purchasing the auction item for purposes of protecting it from desecration. Canon law restricts the excommunication to those taking or retaining such an item "for a profane purpose." Protecting it from sacrilege is the opposite of a profane purpose.
It seems to me that there is little chance of getting eBay to not list auction items like this because, while they are extremely offensive, they are not illegal, and eBay has a policy allowing offensive things as long as they are not illegal.
That being said, if folks want to contact eBay to demand that they change this policy, great. Good luck. I hope it works.
I do not, however, recommend that folks e-mail all their friends, e-mail their newsgroups, blog about it, post about it on their web sites, etc. I know that’s all happening right now, and it’s understandable. I’ve had multiple people e-mail me the last few days with the story. (Cowboy hat tip to them.) However, in my judgment it is better if folks go quiet on this one.
In fact, that’s the reason I’ve decided to blog the silence recommendation–because I know it’s being furiously e-mailed all around the Catholic corner of the Internet right now.
The more talk about it there is, the more it will get in front of the eyes of juvenile malefactors who would want to do the same thing simply to honk off devout Catholics and get their jollies on a feeling of naughty sacrilege.
(If you want to disagree with me in the combox about the silence recommendation, fine, but kindly refrain from mentioning explicitly what it is we’re talking about.)
I have seen some comments that eBay could refuse to list this because it was obviously obtained under false pretenses – i.e. stolen. I agree with your policy on the discussion of this.
A pious Catholic man rushed in and purchased the article in question. As he did so with only the best intentions, I would presume that he’s not subject to the immediate excommunication you mentioned.
No, he wouldn’t be.
Actually, eBay does have a policy prohibiting the sale of offensive material. It’s just that they consider only certain types of racist material “offensive”. The auction in question seems to hover around the edges of what is forbidden: obtained under false pretenses (though not technically “stolen”); extremely offensive (though not prohibited under their definition). Unfortunatley, it seems unlikely that they will consider expanding their regulations on this point.
I support your silence on this matter — I fear copycats.
‘thann
Ditto on the vow of silence.
Well, I for one, can’t even tell what the auction was for, so….I can’t talk about it. Where can I find a story about it that will give me the information?
Jon,
If it’s what I think it is, just ask yourself would a Catholic would find most offensive to see desecrated? That’s why Jimmy doesn’t want the story to get around — he doesn’t wish to encourage repeat offenses.
Isn’t it mind boggling how much Our Lord loves us? He knows about every sacrilege that will ever happen, and yet he still meets us.
We should pray for the souls of those who do such things – and not forget that we too are capable of sacrilege. Ours is more grievous because we know better.
I couldn’t believe it when I heard it this morning. I had a large number of items I cleaned out of closets and storage spaces that I was getting ready to sell on eBay, but I’m sure not now. Not without an apology and a policy change.
Incidentally, looking at it through secular materialist eyes, it does, strictly speaking, seem that it violates their policy (though it’s not obvious)- in the same way the relics they allow to be sold on their site violates another stated policy of theirs against selling human remains.
While it may be an acceptable course of action to not raise Cain about it, I do suggest we all look at our spending habits. How much to we spend on items at ebay, half.com and paypal? Every dollar we spend in and thru these services goes to a company that supports the desceration of what we hold most Sacred. Fine, don’t fan the flames on this but put your money where your mouth is (your heart and your soul). If you have a business selling on ebay – please go elsewhere. If someone requests payment via paypal, ask for other means of payment. Don’t go to other ebay companies. We can at least not support their vile actions.
If we totally ignore it and continue to send them our money, then we materially participate in this sacrilege!!!
May God have mercy on us all.
Michael
Ok, well…I assume I know what it is, or at least what the Holy item might have been, I suppose; but it is hard for me to be outraged and boycot ebay etc. if I don’t know what to be outraged over. Maybe someone would be willing to email me about it?
While what has happened is MOST deplorable – what I find interesting is all the blame placed on eBay. The seller and his intentions are the true malady here, not eBay per se. I do agree their policy could be massaged to disallow things of this heinous nature from happening. His (the seller’s) ignorance or malice are inexcusable.
Also interesting is the assumption by everyone that he is being truthful and that the item in question is authentic. It would be extremely easy to falsify.
In Christ
Is it permitted to be outraged about the Church discipline that permits such sacrileges?
Is it permitted to be outraged about the Church discipline that permits such sacrileges?
Well, I am. But whenever I say something about it, people tell me stories about it happening in the “old days” as well.
I’m sure it did, but it obviously is much easier now.
J.M.J+
Update: Bill Cork links to a news article which says that the sale didn’t take place after all.
The seller instead turned the Sacred Host over to Monsignor Roger J. Augustine, administrator of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City, who disposed of It properly. Deo gratias!
Here’s the link: http://snipurl.com/e2fv
In Jesu et Maria,
I am a full-time eBay PowerSeller and this issue is causing me to seriously consider finding a new line of work. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts, please.
eBay already allows the trafficking of several morally offensive items, but I’ve always looked at the “remote” cooperation issue to justify doing business with eBay. I want to be prudent and patient (eBay may just need some time to come around), but the extraordinary nature of the sacrilege has instigated me to take a serious look at whether to do business with them.
I used eBay’s 800 number to quitely leave voice messages with staff.
Last night, a message was returned saying that they will no longer permit sale of this item.
They are prefering to do this quietly at this point, without press release, etc.
I suggest that we monitor the site, and phone like crazy if it happens again.
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