Churches Respond to Flu Outbreak

April 30, 2009

The practice of intinction by communicants in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast will cease as part of a series of public-health precautions announced by the diocese’s bishop, the Rt. Rev. Philip M. Duncan II, in response to the influenza outbreak.

Under the guidelines proposed by Bishop Duncan, those who are ill are encouraged to stay home for the duration of the threat, as are those whose immune systems are already weakened. Clergy and Lay Eucharistic Ministers are encouraged to wash their hands often, “especially before and during the conduct of public worship.” As an alternative to having the communicant dip the host into the chalice, the chalice bearer may intinct the host and then place it on the tongue of the communicant.

“Receiving the host only is also a most appropriate way to receive the sacrament should this disease become a full public health risk,” Bishop Duncan said. the rest