Swine Flu Guidelines
23/07/2009
Swine Flu - latest national guidance from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
On the advice of the Department of Health the Archbishops have written to all diocesan bishops with the following:
'The Department of Health have recently advised us that 'in a pandemic it makes good sense to take precautions to limit the spread of disease by not sharing common vessels for food and drink'. In the light of this advice, we recommend those presiding at Holy Communion suspend the administration of the chalice during this wave of pandemic flu. For those who still wish to offer in both kinds, we recommend the practice whereby the presiding minister, whose hands should have been washed with the appropriate alcohol-based rub before handling the elements and the vessels, personally intincts all wafers before placing them in the hands of communicants. This is a practice widely observed in Anglican churches throughout Africa. Communicants receiving in this way need to be confident that the clergy and all assistant ministers follow the relevant guidance on hygiene.'
The Bishop’s view is that congregations should now receive communion in one kind - that is bread only, with only the president receiving the wine. Congregations should be reassured that while communion in both kinds is usual within the Church of England in faithfulness to our Lord's institution, the fullness of the Sacrament is none the less received in one kind and its validity is not in question.
If parishes choose to use intinction this should be done only with wafers and the priest should intinct all wafers with a small dab of of wine after consecration and before administration and that intinction should not be done from the chalice at the altar rail immediately prior to distribution.
These actions are a precaution and It is possible that they will be in place for the next few months while infection rates are at their highest. Be clear that the nature of the virus has not changed and for the great majority of people the results of the infection will continue to be mild but it is clearly wise to seek to reduce the spread by whatever means possible.
The biggest defence we have is good hygiene within our church buildings, with the regular cleaning of hard surfaces including door handles, pews and seats and good hand hygiene by church members. Those presiding at the Eucharist should make use of alcohol based gels at the lavabo before touching vessels and handling the elements. Similar hygiene should be observed by those who put wafers into the ciborium or wafer boxes prior to the service and who prepare bread for communion. Communion vessels should be throughly cleaned in soap and water after use.
Individuals out or respect for one another may choose not to exchange the peace by a hand shake, as transmission of the virus from hand to hand is a real possibility.
Please stress with Church members that if they have the symptoms of Swine Flu then they should not attend worship or church meetings until they are well. Clergy should also not be working if they are displaying the symptoms and should not return to work until they are well.
If you have any queries please contact the Archdeacons' Offices.
For the Archbishops' letter and further guidance, see the Church of England website: www.cofe.anglican.org/news/swineflu230709.html
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