Swine flu: no blood of Christ at Melbourne Masses

The Archbishop of Melbourne has written to all priests of the archdiocese of Melbourne asking them to only distribute communion under the species of bread, and not to exchange the sign of peace, to prevent the spread of  human swine flu.

In a letter dated 29th May, Archbishop Denis Hart reminds priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist to practice good hygiene.

“Ministers of Holy Communion should be encouraged to wash their hands before Mass begins or to use an alcohol-based antibacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion.”

He goes on: “During the Sign of Peace instead of shaking hands, kissing or embracing, as is practised in some parishes, it would be best to simply nod your head and avoid bodily contact.

“When praying the Our Father do not hold hands, as may be practised in some parishes, but simply extend hands toward heaven or fold your hands.

“Holy Communion should only be distributed under the species of the consecrated host and not the chalice to limit the spread of germs during the H1N1 epidemic,” he says.

He points out that Christ is truly present in under both species, the bread and the wine. “Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species,” he writes quoting article 1377 of The Catechism of the Catholic Church. 

“I encourage you and your parish community to pray for all those affected by swine flu and to join with me in doing our part to prevent its spread. We should accept the advice of the health authorities and wash our hands often and if we are sick, sneezing or coughing we should all stay home,” he concludes.

Meanwhile in the US where there have been more confirmed cases of the disease, similar precautions are being taken.

The Committee on Divine Worship of the American Bishops' Conference says: "Priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should be especially reminded of the need to practise good hygiene. Ministers of Holy Communion should be encouraged to wash their hands before Mass begins, or even to use an alcohol based anti-bacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion. They should instruct people who feel ill not to receive from the cup."

Parishes in the Diocese of Austin, Texas, are not to "offer the blood of Christ at Eucharist until more is known about the virus," according to a letter from Bishop Gregory M. Aymond. Similarly in Dallas, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell has asked pastors to "consider suspending in your parish the reception of the holy Eucharist under both species. Other dioceses have recommended that if people are feeling ill, they should not offer the sign of peace but bow to the person beside them and say: “Peace be with you.”

While no cases of swine flu have been reported in Hawaii, the Diocese of Honolulu released a memo in response to the "heightened crisis" regarding swine flu. It discouraged any contact among parishioners during Mass, especially during the sign of peace and the recitation of the Lord's Prayer.

Symptoms of the swine flu are similar to those of the common flu and include fever, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.