The Catholic Church has publicly rejected the $1,500 donation by Kuma's Corner, the Chicago restaurant that introduced a burger topped with an unconsecrated communion water and red wine reduction sauce, according to the Huffington Post.
Catholic Charities announced through a press release that they will not accept a donation from the eatery due to communion being a central part of the Catholic faith.
"We strongly urge Kuma's to discontinue selling a burger that disrespects that faith and the faith of all Christians," the statement read.
The heavy-metal themed restaurant stated on their Facebook page Friday that it made a $1,500 donation to the Catholic Charities of the Chicago Archdiocese after their "Ghost" burger attracted national headlines and was called a "mockery" of a central Catholic symbol.
The Chicago Tribune reported the Ghost Burger, named after a heavy metal band, is served on a pretzel bun and topped with braised goat shoulder. The burger also includes aged white Cheddar cheese, Ghost chili aioli, and the communion wafer and the red wine sauce meant to represent the blood of Christ. The burger cost $17 and is included with fries, chips, or a side of salad.
"We're not trying to say anything against the church and we kind of have to prove a point because we're not taking the burger off the menu," Luke Tobias, director of operations for Kuma's Corner told the Tribune. "Each month Kuma's Corner donates money to a different charity; this month Tobias and owner Michael Cain decided on Catholic Charities in hopes of conveying the message that their Ghost Burger was not a dig against the church or Christians.
"The negative feedback, it's unfortunate, but what are you going to do? We've been doing what we do for eight years. We haven't stopped, we're not going to stop," he said.
According to WGN News, Father Paul Kalchik of Resurrection Catholic Church shouted in front of the restaurant.
"You guys do not respect the church. You guys do not have any sensibility to the people of the faith." he yelled.
The Father also asked people to boycott the restaurant and the Ghost burger.