Anxious churches ban sharing of communion wine as swine flu virus spreads

Published on Thursday 23 July 2009 22:02

CHURCHES across Britain are doing their bit to try to stem the spread of swine flu.

The Church of England has issued an unprecedented order to suspend the "sharing of the chalice" at services of holy communion as a precaution against the virus.

Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu, the archbishops of Canterbury and York, have written to bishops, asking them to spread the order to clergy at parish churches throughout England. Such a step was not taken even during the spread of Black Death during the 15th century.

The archbishops said that for those worshippers who expressed a desire to continue receiving wine, priests should sterilise their hands with an alcohol-based gel and dip the "host" before placing it in the hands of the communicant.

The changes are allowed under the 1547 Sacrament Act, introduced after the bubonic plague, which requires both bread and wine to be given "except necessity otherwise require".

Churches in Scotland have also made clear the practice of sharing a common cup should not continue, but the final decision continues to rest with individual ministers and priests.

Last week, the Church of Scotland's ministries council issued advice on how to minimise the impact of the virus.

But it is understood that, because an ordinary church celebrates communion only about three or four times a year – less frequently than in the Church of England – there is not the same level of concern. Nonetheless, it is remaining vigilant.

The Rev Dr Martin Scott, the ministries council secretary, said: "We advise that congregations stop the use of the common cup during a period of outbreak in the local community, for however long is deemed necessary by the minister."

The Catholic Church has issued no central order to its priests, but individual bishops can suspend communion wine as and when they feel necessary.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Episcopal Church said it was making advice available based on the Church of England's information, adding:

"It's clearly up to individual clergy what they want to do."