Churches in swine flu fear
Growing numbers of churches are dropping wine from communion services for fear shared chalices will spread swine flu through their congregations.
Senior clergymen are taking the precaution because they are worried the pandemic virus will be passed between worshippers from the shared cup.
-
The Rev David Newman, at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, is not offering communion wine
The taking of the wine, representing Christ's blood, is a fundamental part of Christian practice.
Now the archbishops of York and Canterbury have told ministers chalices should not be shared but that communion wafers, representing Christ's body, can be "intincted", or dipped in wine, and handed to church goers.
Reverend David Newman, of Emmanuel Church in Forest Road, Loughborough, said he felt that would be too messy and has had two weeks of wine-free services.
He said: "It has had a mixed response. Most people accept it because of the public health risk and they have anxieties yet others are less accepting.
"We are following the guidance from above and while we could dip the bread into the wine and place it in people's hands for them to eat we took the view that it is a little bit messy. I'm not sure people would want a soggy wafer placed in their hands. So it's just bread for the time being.
"In the past the view has been that the silver of the chalice, combined with the alcohol in the wine has been enough to prevent other kinds of infections spreading and create a germ free situation.
"Personally I think we have gone a little bit over the top by saying we can't share the cup but that's the position.
"I'm not aware of anyone in the congregation having swine flu and hopefully it will stay that way."
Diocese of Leicester policy advisor, and chaplain to the Bishop of Leicester, Reverend Mike Smith, said: "People are generally understanding that we cannot share the cups.
"We issued guidance to all the churches and from those I have heard from just under half have decided not to use wine at all.
"At those that have opted for intinction the priest must put hand gel on before dipping.
"We discussed each person using individual cups but decided that was not legal in the Church of England.
"For theological reasons the cup must be shared – mainly that Jesus passed one cup around the disciples at the last supper. Methodists believe it is theologically acceptable to use individual cups but we don't."
Mr Smith said no guidance had been issued on the Sharing of the Peace, the part of the service where worshippers shake one anothers hands or embrace.
He added: "Again that's down to each church council but we do know the flu spreads through human contact.
"We have to be proportional though.
"If we start banning everything there's no further we can go and we are expecting swine flu to get worse in the autumn.
"We are taking every reasonable precaution.
"What has been pleasing is that this has stimulated debate between the clergy and congregations about the meaning of communion."
Ann Bennett, church warden at St Deny's in Evington, Leicester, said: "We are not using wine because it's a bit difficult if we can't share the cup. Broadly people don't seem to mind.
"When it comes to shaking hands people are fine. We can't all seal ourselves off from each other. If we get it, we get it."
12 Comments
View all
by Joanne North, Leicester
Monday, August 10 2009, 10:40AM
“Oh dear, Rich, Leicester is clearly not a very clever man. I said I celebrate Christmas but I have stated in simple terms that it is not a Christian ceremony. It is a winter solstice ceremony, which turned into a Christian ceremony and now it's generally not a Christian ceremony. I celebrate the rebirth of the sun at Christmas, as well as Santa Claus coming to town with his reindeer, presents and getting prefusely drunk on a concoction of drinks. I do not celebrate the birth of Jesus, like 99% of the population.
As for my lack of respect of Christianity. Yes, that's very true. I don't like the religion because so many have been slain and murdered in the name of Jesus. Many holy wars were waged in the Middle Ages leading to loss of life. Even the Iraq and Afgan wars were stated by Mr. Bush that they were conducted in the name of God. I have no respect for Christianity because it was created to control people and many were killed after the Council of Nicea created the Bible.
BUT... like you say, England is a Christian nation. It's kind of true, although England is now very multi-cultural. We are a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Jane, Buddhist nation and we all tolerate other religions. Yes, technically we are still an official Christian nation but it a dying religion and it is up to people like me to tell people the origins of corrupt, controlling, money-grabbing religions.
Your comments about "you know ehere the airport is, use it!" show how uneducated you are, coupled with the fact you wrote "weather" not "whether". Give an intelligent reply in future please or just admit you lost the debate. Why should I leave the country because I don't respect religion? Are you saying I HAVE TO repsect Christianity to live here? Why should I respect a religion founded on lies and murder? The fact you do says a lot.”
by Rich, Leicester
Thursday, August 06 2009, 8:11AM
“Maybe Joanne, if you feel so strongly, and have such little respect, then maybe you should go and live somewhere else? This is a christan country, weather you like it or not, and if you have such little respect for the fact, then you know where the airport is, use it!!!!
I also find it intresting, that you even admit, you celebrate CHRISTmas. So for all your strong veiws, you still admit to joining in christian celebrations!”
by Adrian, Leicester
Wednesday, August 05 2009, 1:59PM
“Knowledge without wisdom is always dangerous. We have a 'knee-jerk' society that leans to its own wisdom!”
by Joanne North, Leicester
Wednesday, August 05 2009, 1:23PM
“Rich, Leicester... When did I say I celebrated bits of Christianity???? CHISTmas as you call it is a recycled winter solstice festival from aeons ago when the "pagan" religions dominated society, regurgitated by Christianity. EASTER is a second-hand "pagan" celebration named after the "pagan" goddess of a VERY similar name. Easter eggs and the easter bunny originate from the sacred hare of the 'pagans'. Also Easter falls on a different date every year due to astonomical changes. How can Christ be "born" on one day but die some time between March and April every year. There is not one "original" Christian festival/holy day - they are ALL second hand. Yes, I call Chistmas, Christmas because that's what it is in popular culture, but it's about presents and happiness, NOT because some of 'the son of god' being born. Hardly anyone thinks of Christ on Xmas day, they think of turkey, presents, reindeer and santa claus. Compare the attibutes of Christ to Horus, Dionysis, Mithras etc, all the other 'sons of god' of history and you'll notice that every single one has the same credentials and did the same things during their mythical lives. The Bible is a multi-level book which was ORIGINALLY intended to raise to soul to a higher level so that every man and woman can realise they are God. Blind faith takes you further away from God because you have faith without knowledge. It's very sad indeed!! Learn the history of your religion and you'll learn it is corrupt. Look at Mary Magdalene - the Church shunned her for hundreds of years, then one day changed their mind..... What rubbish! Christianity is a second, no third, no fourth, no, twelfth-hand religion. Nothing unique, nothing spiritual.”
by Rich, Leicester
Wednesday, August 05 2009, 9:35AM
“Joanne North, Leicester, so sad that you have no respect, but Im sure that your attitude changes when you are celebrating CHRISTmas!!! And giving and reciving CHRISTmas presents, and eating CHRISTmas dinner. Oh, and I forgot about Easter eggs!
Weather you agree with relagion or not (And I dont, for the record!!!) you cant on one hand say that you think its a pile of rubbish, and on the other pick and choose bits from it to celebrate!”
by Claire View, Leicester
Tuesday, August 04 2009, 2:30PM
“Why can't they just serve miniatures like liquor on a plane, or drink like an Indian without lips touching the chalice?”
by Joanne North, Leicester
Tuesday, August 04 2009, 1:33PM
“Please remember there is no historical evidence for Jesus Christ, like there isn't for Peter Pan, so it's not really a big deal is it. The Romans recorded everything except the murder of the son of God?? Hmmmm.... Even Leicester (Ratae) got a mention by them! The Bible is not an historical document. It was thrown together and edited by Order of Emperor Constantine to control the Roman Empire. Most of the true books, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of the Egyptians (those found at Nag Hammadi in Egypt) were burnt and the true, spiritual gnostic Christians were murdered. Oh, so holy! Don't forget your roots! If you don't know them, learn them!”
by John Collins, Leicester
Tuesday, August 04 2009, 1:14PM
“I hope Jesus isn't turning water intio Swine! SOrry, couldn't resist....
Swine Flu pandemic is just about over now.... It's very boring. Stop giving it column inches. There is no mass panic, no-one is scared, no-one is worried.
The media moguls are still filtering the message to editors to use Swine Flu to try and sell their precious products to us. But it's not working because no-one gives a hoot.”
by Christine, Leicester
Tuesday, August 04 2009, 11:56AM
“I was staggered when 'not taking wine' was announced at my church! I am amazed that it is considered "illegal" by the Church of England to not drink from a shared cup but it is 'legal' to not take the wine at all. The point of communion is to remember Christ's suffering; his broken body and his shed blood. Not drinking something - wine or non alcholic - is not celebrating as Jesus told us to.
I say introduce separate small communion cups/glasses for each person!!”
by margaret, canada
Tuesday, August 04 2009, 11:50AM
“isn't the alcohol and metal, gold lined chalice meant to kill germs? we had all this months ago - hand spraying for everyone, no intincting by the people but we can drink from the common cup. same with the peace, asked to not touch ... this was soon ignored .
don't know anyone who had this flu and I survived
why all the scare tactics? what are people going to do with everything else they are surrounded by?
will there be hand spraying of everyone as the get on a bus?
maybe the driver will refuse to drive.
will every shopping cart be cleaned between uses?
maybe the checkout people will refuse to touch your money ....
when does it stop.
we've become too casreful and sterile and over protective
might as well stay at home and stop people from entering
use common sense - be careful as with any cold, flu etc”