Sunday, July 9, 2017

Communion and Allergies

A recent BBC pieces entitled "Vatican outlaws gluten-free bread for Holy Communion" is a bit misleading: this is not a new teaching. The BBC report fails to note that the doctrine does not prevent people with celiac disease or wheat allergy from taking communion.

A 2012 statement from the United States Conference of Bishops affirms that Catholic doctrine prevents complete removal of gluten from communion wafers, but permits priests to accommodate health problems by administering communion in the form of wine only, omitting the bread. The statement includes guidance on avoiding cross-contamination and also covers alcohol intolerance, which can be accommodated by letting alcohol evaporate from communion wine (which would normally be 1% alcohol).

No guidance is offered for accommodating people who are anaphylactic to grapes.

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