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Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/s...ws-to-avoid-sharing-of-communion-chalice.html
Swine flu: church uses 400-year-old plague laws to avoid sharing of communion chalice
Church of England rituals including communion and shaking hands as a ?sign of the peace? are being altered or dropped altogether as concern mounts about the spread of swine flu.
By Alastair Jamieson
Published: 11:30AM BST 22 Jul 2009
Some Anglican churches have begun to allow ?intinction?, in which bread is dipped in communion wine, to avoid worshippers sharing a chalice, according to a report which says the change is permitted under rules drawn up in the 16th century following the bubonic plague.
The changes are allowed under the 1547 Sacrament Act, which requires both bread and wine to be given ?except necessity otherwise require?, according to the Financial Times.
A number of Catholic churches have already taken the step of removing wine from communion and offering only bread amid fears of the spread of swine flu. The Archdiocese of Liverpool, which represents the Catholic church in Liverpool, said that some churches had taken the precaution but added that it was a decision made by individual churches.
Parishioners in the Anglican diocese of Southwark in London have been advised to hug rather than shake hands as a ?sign of the peace?, while in Chelmsford they have been discouraged from using shared holy water stoops to dip their fingers and make the sign of the cross.
The Rt Rev Christopher Budd, the bishop of Plymouth, advised in a recent letter: ?In the light of the decision to designate the swine flu outbreak a pandemic, I now recommend suspending the chalice and giving the Sacred Host in the hand only.?
Michael Fay, a spokesman for the diocese, told the Financial Times: ?Some people say they are receiving the body of Christ and he will protect you, but it?s not a magic potion. We need to be prudent.?
Fears of the spread of swine flu are affecting churchgoers around the world. In New Zealand, the Roman Catholic Church has advised priests not to place communion wafers on the tongues of worshippers
Swine flu: church uses 400-year-old plague laws to avoid sharing of communion chalice
Church of England rituals including communion and shaking hands as a ?sign of the peace? are being altered or dropped altogether as concern mounts about the spread of swine flu.
By Alastair Jamieson
Published: 11:30AM BST 22 Jul 2009
Some Anglican churches have begun to allow ?intinction?, in which bread is dipped in communion wine, to avoid worshippers sharing a chalice, according to a report which says the change is permitted under rules drawn up in the 16th century following the bubonic plague.
The changes are allowed under the 1547 Sacrament Act, which requires both bread and wine to be given ?except necessity otherwise require?, according to the Financial Times.
A number of Catholic churches have already taken the step of removing wine from communion and offering only bread amid fears of the spread of swine flu. The Archdiocese of Liverpool, which represents the Catholic church in Liverpool, said that some churches had taken the precaution but added that it was a decision made by individual churches.
Parishioners in the Anglican diocese of Southwark in London have been advised to hug rather than shake hands as a ?sign of the peace?, while in Chelmsford they have been discouraged from using shared holy water stoops to dip their fingers and make the sign of the cross.
The Rt Rev Christopher Budd, the bishop of Plymouth, advised in a recent letter: ?In the light of the decision to designate the swine flu outbreak a pandemic, I now recommend suspending the chalice and giving the Sacred Host in the hand only.?
Michael Fay, a spokesman for the diocese, told the Financial Times: ?Some people say they are receiving the body of Christ and he will protect you, but it?s not a magic potion. We need to be prudent.?
Fears of the spread of swine flu are affecting churchgoers around the world. In New Zealand, the Roman Catholic Church has advised priests not to place communion wafers on the tongues of worshippers