 |
|
|
|
Diocesan Advice - Swine Flu ADMINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION DURING A FLU PANDEMIC The Bread Government advice envisages that during a flu pandemic the distribution of the consecrated bread at Holy Communion will continue, but specifies that communion should not be given on the tongue. Care ought to be taken to ensure that the fingers of the person distributing the sacrament do not come into contact with the communicants’ hands. High standards of hand hygiene should be adopted. (Soap and water is an effective means of cleaning hands, and handrubs can be used as an alternative.) The Cup In 1987 the then Archbishops of Canterbury and York issued guidance on the use of the chalice at Holy Communion. This indicated, on medical advice, that fears that sharing of the common cup might be a possible means of infection with HIV were groundless, and that the risk of other types of infection being transmitted via the chalice were extremely small and could be reduced even further by the application of normal rules of hygiene. These are set out in Annex A and should be followed at all times. Scientific advice confirms that the guidance given in 1987 continues to be generally correct. However, it indicates that neither the alcoholic content of wine nor the antiseptic qualities of noble metals will provide any protection against a pandemic flu virus. Government advice is that in the event of pandemic flu affecting centres of population, administration of the common cup ought to be suspended. Studies have suggested that in the context of pandemic flu the practice of intinction1 may involve a greater risk than the common cup. Further details of the scientific evidence regarding the common cup may be found in Annex B. The administration of Holy Communion in the Church of England is principally governed by section 8 of the Sacrament Act 1547, which provides that ‘... the... most blessed Sacrament be hereafter commonly delivered and ministered unto the people... under both the kinds, that is to say of bread and wine, except necessity otherwise require...’ It is thought that the permission for administration of the sacrament in one kind only in cases of necessity was included because communicants were unwilling to drink from a common cup in times of plague.2 In the event of pandemic flu affecting centres of population, the bishop of the diocese concerned should advise the clergy that communion should be administered in one kind only in that area (the priest alone receiving in both kinds) until the danger has passed. Bishops are invited to consult the Revd Dr Brendan McCarthy in the Mission and Public Affairs Division at Church House (020 7898 1523 / 07825 854947; brendan.mccarthy@c-of-e.org.uk) before issuing such advice. Should it become necessary to do so, the Archbishops will issue such advice in respect of Holy Communion in the Church of England as a whole. Where such advice has not been issued, communicants may nevertheless choose to receive Communion in one kind only. The clergy should emphasize that while communion in both kinds is the norm in the Church of England, in faithfulness to Christ’s institution, when it is received only in one kind the fullness of the Sacrament is received none the less. 23 June 2009 Notes 1. The Legal Advisory Commission has advised that ‘The practice of intinction may be regarded as lawful where a communicant or the congregation as a whole is fearful of contracting or communicating a contagious disease through drinking from the cup.’ (Legal Opinions Concerning the Church of England [8th edition: 2007], pp. 345-348). However, if the consecrated wine is administered to communicants they cannot be required to receive it by intinction. The use of individual communion cups is not lawful in the Church of England and would, in any event, also involve hygiene risks in the context of pandemic flu. 2. In accordance with this provision of the Sacrament Act 1547, Note 6 to the Distribution of Holy Communion at Home or in Hospital provides that ‘Communion should normally be received in both kinds separately, but where necessary may be received in one kind, whether of bread or, where the communicant cannot receive solid food, wine’ (Common Worship: Pastoral Services, p. 79 ANNEX A HYGIENE AND THE CHALICE [GUIDANCE ISSUED IN 1987] After discussion with the House of Bishops, we have decided to issue to all clergy the following guide about the use of the chalice: Public concern about AIDS has aroused fears among some people that the sharing of the common cup might be a possible means of infection. The advice given to us by the highest medical authorities is that such fears are groundless. The virus which causes AIDS may occasionally be present in saliva, but recent research has shown that saliva inhibits the activity of the virus and that it has not been transmitted by being swallowed. There is therefore no reason to take special precautions when administering the chalice other than those listed below. People who are infected by the virus or who have AIDS will be unusually susceptible to other infections and may wish, and should be allowed, to receive communion by intinction or in one kind. Research on the chalice as a possible means of transmitting other types of infection has shown that the risk is extremely small. This can be reduced even further by the application of the normal rules of hygiene: 1. A chalice of gold, silver or other metal is to be preferred to pottery, particularly unglazed pottery. 2. The rim of the chalice should be firmly wiped with a purificator after it has left the lips of each communicant. The same part of the purificator should not be used repeatedly, nor should it be allowed to become sodden. 3. Anyone with cuts, sores or abrasions on their lips should receive communion by intinction or in one kind. 4. In addition to ritual ablutions, the chalice should be thoroughly cleaned after use. We suggest that this notice is displayed in the vestry or in some other suitable place within your church. Robert Cantuar: John Ebor: ************************************************************************
Dear Colleagues, SWINE FLU : STATEMENT FROM THE ARCHBISHOPS TO THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS At the end of July the Department of Health advised us that the pandemic had reached the stage at which ‘it makes good sense to limit the spread of disease by not sharing common vessels for food and drink.’ In the light of this we felt it would be irresponsible not to alert parishes and dioceses to this advice, and to recommend the suspension of the administration of the chalice while the Department of Health information and advice remained as it was. To date the advice we have been given has not changed. Of course national advice given by Archbishops is just that – advice – as indeed is any separate advice that Bishops may decide to give to parishes. Judgments about the best course of action in particular contexts may vary, but it remains important a) to encourage everyone to recognise that the Church has a responsibility to take public health considerations seriously, and b) to ensure that communication around the Church is good so that we don’t appear to be at sixes and sevens, and c) to remember that responsible practise in this area is not primarily about protecting ourselves, but about avoiding transmitting infection unwittingly to others. We are keeping regular contact nationally with the Department of Health and all relevant information and advice will be passed on. We have decided to review our own advice towards the end of October, in the light of the information, statistics, and guidance coming by then from the Department of Health. By that time the progress of the vaccination programme and the effects of schools and universities having started back will be assessed. If at that stage the perceived risk is significantly lower than when we issued our advice at the end of July, then fresh guidelines will be given. I would urge patience and vigilance until we have reached that point. + Rowan Cantuar + Sentamu Ebor: |
|