London - Leaders of the Church of England Thursday recommended the suspension of the sharing of the chalice at communion as the spread of swine flu continued in Britain. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York informed bishops of new government measures which advised "not to share common vessels" for food and drink during communion.
Their letter was meant to offer guidance at a national level about how church worship could "best take into account the interests of public health during the current phase of the swine flu pandemic," the church leaders said.
For those still wishing to offer both bread and wine, the Archbishops recommended allowing the priest to dip communion wafers in the chalice before handing them out to communicants.
However, presiding ministers were reminded to wash their hands thoroughly before undertaking communion.
"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," the letter said.
The H1N1 swine flu virus has spread rapidly in Britain, where 31 people have died of the disease.
