The Bishop of Knaresborough has written to clergy in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, passing on the advice from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, recommending the suspension of the sharing of the chalice at communion.
The Archbishops' letter follows advice from the Department of Health not
to share "common vessels" for food or drink. The advice from Bishop James Bell is that communion is administered in 'one kind' - ie the bread only, although another possibility suggested by the Archbishops in their letter to bishops throughout the Church of England, is the use of "personal intinction by the presiding minister" allowing the priest to dip communion wafers in the chalice before handing them out to communicants.
Full details of the present advice is available on the Church of England website
23.7.09
Dear Colleague in Ripon & Leeds,
Herewith is the advice we have received from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. I invite you to come to a mind together with any colleagues who preside at Holy Communion in your church(es) on the basis of this advice. My own view is that the simplest thing is to administer in one kind - which has always been regarded as sufficient when need arises. Obviously it will be helpful to explain the situation to your people. You should, of course, continue to use both elements for the Eucharistic Prayer, but consume the wine yourself.
You will likewise need to reflect on the issue of sharing the Peace. It could be good for a period to adopt the Sri Lankan manner of sharing the Peace, which is to put hands together and bow the head. I rather warm to a way of sharing the Peace which is a form of reverence and a sign of prayer for one another!
Let's continue to hold in our prayers those who have swine flu, those who are anxious about getting it, and all who are involved in seeking to combat it.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me up to 8th August and Bishop John thereafter.
With all good wishes,
+James
The Feast of St Mary Magdalene
23rd July 2009
Dear Colleague,
It now seems right to offer guidance at a national level about how the
Church of England's worship might best take into account the interests
of public health during the current phase of the swine flu pandemic.
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. [1] 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 of Ripon & Leeds circulated substantial guidance, including a
summary of the government's advice[2], with his letter of 23 June[3].
Many of you have already issued local guidance based upon its content.
We regard it as important that those presiding at Holy Communion are
aware of this advice[4] and of that contained in this letter. They
should offer guidance to the congregation about appropriate precautions
in receiving communion and exchanging the peace.
We shall keep this advice under review and will ensure that the detailed
guidance provided on the Church of England website[5] is kept
up-to-date. In the meantime, wish to express our gratitude to you and
those who share your ministry for the pastoral care and service offered
at this time of national concern.
+Rowan Cantuar: +Sentamu Ebor:
________________________________
[1] 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...'
[2] http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/swineflu/governmentadvice.doc
[3] http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/swineflu/letter23609.doc
[4] http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/swineflu/communion.doc
[5] http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/swineflu