Catholic Church investigators have concluded that a communion host was not miraculously "bleeding" when it developed a dark red hue last month in a Kearns church.
A red bread mold caused the discoloration on the sacramental wafer at St. Francis Xavier Church, the Diocese of Salt Lake City announced Wednesday.
The host — a small wheat disc that is consecrated and eaten during Holy Communion — was not consumed during Mass on Nov. 8 and was returned to the church, diocese spokeswoman Susan Dennin has said. In accordance with church practices, the host was placed in an ablution bowl to dissolve.