Florida Priest Accused of Biting Woman During Communion Dispute

Father Fidel Rodriguez, a parochial vicar at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in St. Cloud has been arrested after he allegedly bit a woman while arguing with her during Communion at Mass

A Florida priest is facing potential battery charges after allegedly biting a woman during a dispute over Communion at Sunday Mass.

The incident occurred at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in St. Cloud, approximately 30 miles south of Orlando. The woman attended the 10 a.m. service and attempted to take Communion. The Diocese of Orlando reported that the Rev. Fidel Rodriguez informed her she hadn’t met the necessary prerequisites for Communion and instead offered her a blessing.

Father Fidel has been serving as parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in St. Cloud since 2015

The woman returned for a later service and again tried to take Communion. When Rodriguez asked if she had performed the required Confession, she reportedly told him it was “not his business.” Despite lacking background information on the woman, Rodriguez offered her Holy Communion.

According to the diocese, the woman then forcefully placed her hand in the vessel, grabbing and crushing the sacred Communion hosts. A struggle ensued, during which Rodriguez, having only one free hand, allegedly bit the woman’s hand to make her release the hosts. The woman was subsequently asked to leave the church.

According to the report, Father Fidel allegedly became upset with her claims and tried to ram a 'cookie' into her mouth

The St. Cloud Police Department investigated the incident, and a charging affidavit accused Rodriguez of battery. The woman claimed that Rodriguez attempted to force the wafer into her mouth and, when she resisted, grabbed and bit her arm.

Rodriguez asserted that he was protecting the sanctity of Communion, stating that the woman attacked him first, pushed him, and refused to let go of the tray. He told police that biting her arm was the only way he could think to make her release it. Witnesses reportedly provided video evidence of the altercation.

The victim told deputies that the accused would not give her 'the cookie' and could not understand whether it was because of her 'sexuality or attire'

The Diocese of Orlando issued a statement explaining that Rodriguez's actions were aimed at protecting the Holy Communion from desecration. While the diocese does not condone physical altercations, it stated that Rodriguez acted in good faith to prevent the sacrilegious act. They emphasized the Eucharist's significance, describing it as "the source and summit" of worship and faith, not something to be demanded or trivialized.

The police report noted the woman's complaint that she called the Eucharist a "cookie." The investigation is ongoing.