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Catholic Charities Passes On Donation From Restaurant With Communion Burger

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago says it will not accept a donation from the owner of a Northwest Side restaurant that features a communion wafer on a burger.

But the owner tells WBBM that Catholic Charities already did take his money.

This whole controversy revolves around the Ghost -- a burger at Kuma's that's topped with a communion wafer. Catholics call the burger sacrilegious.

Catholic Charities Won't Accept Donation From Kuma's,

Kuma's Owner Michael Cain says he's donated $1,500 to Catholic Charities.

The organization says keep the money.

"Catholic Charities will not accept a donation from Kuma's Corner," spokeswoman Kristine Kappell says. "The Eucharist is a central part of the Catholic faith and we strongly urge Kuma's Corner to discontinue selling a burger that disrespects that faith and the faith of all Christians."

Kuma's says the money's already been taken out of his bank account. Catholic Charities promises a refund.

"If they don't accept the donation and if I get the money back, I will donate it to another charity," Cain says. "I mean, I'm sorry they don't want to accept a donation to their charity. I guess they've got so many donations that they don't need mine, so I can give it to another charity."

Cain says 80 percent of the people are not upset by the burger, which he says is a tribute to the Swedish band Ghost.

Defiance, though, comes with a price. Restaurant representatives say they've had death threats since they added the burger to the menu, and they're taking them very seriously by adding more security, CBS 2's Jim Williams reports.

Kuma's says business was up over the weekend.

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