According to an author who is an expert in this field (these people do exist) there were probably as many as 18 different Holy hoods in Europe during the Middle Ages. Now someone’s got to be lying right? So a storm was brewing. One of these holy foreskins had been held in Antwerp since 1100, far enough away to remain unknown to the Roman church. When it finally appeared on the scene in 1856 it started some vicious squabbles regarding authenticity. Who’s were the genuine genitals? Who’s foreskin was forged?

The arguments got so bad that in 1900 the Roman Catholic Church banned anyone from mentioning it, with the promise of excommunication if you dared breathe its name. What a grown up way to settle an argument. They also took the ‘Revered Day of Holy Circumcision’ off of the Latin Church Calendar. That’ll teach them. However, a church in Italy still worshiped a supposed Holy Prepuce well into the 80’s until it was robbed in 1983, probably because of the ornate case it had around it rather than the rotting flesh within in it. But no one knows what happened to that hallowed skin.

So, in answer to my initial question – no one knows, and they probably never will.

☛ Next Up: The Aghori: A Hindu Cannibal Cult