Calls video an outrageous insult to Catholics

Contact: Tom Serafin, International Crusade for Holy Relics, 818-416-9279

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- The International Crusade for Holy Relics is demanding that YouTube pull video showing desecration of the Eucharist from its site.

The video series posted by "fsmdude" includes a variety of desecrations of the Eucharist using a toilet, a saw, a blender, and a variety of other means.

Catholics believe the Eucharist is the body of Christ.
 
Serafin first learned of the outrage after a phone call from the News Website www.headlinebistro.com seeking comment on the situation.

"This outrage must be stopped," said Tom Serafin, ICHR president. "This is a direct affront to a quarter of the United States population, it is an outrageous insult, and has no merit whatsoever."

He added: "YouTube has the resources of Google - one of the nation's largest companies - behind it, and yet somehow, something this outrageous and offensive slipped through, and they are still searching for an answer. We demand, on behalf of Catholics everywhere, that it be removed immediately."

YouTube bans offensive material as follows:

·         YouTube is not a shock site. Don't post gross-out videos of accidents, dead bodies or similar things intended to shock or disgust.

·         We encourage free speech and defend everyone's right to express unpopular points of view. But we don't permit hate speech (speech which attacks or demeans a group based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, and sexual orientation/gender identity).

"After reviewing these videos, it is clear that YouTube's ban is not being enforced," he said. "Not only are they not enforcing their own rules, but they are helping others to spread a disgusting message of hate."

The ICHR is the foremost internet watchdog group of Catholic laymen. The organization has fought the online sale of relics of the saints and of the Eucharist - primarily on eBay - for more than a decade.