Catholic Church Reacts to Swine Flu

The threat of H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu) has put everyone on alert – including the Catholic Church. In a response to a suggestion by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, many dioceses around the country have begun to implement policies to prevent the spread of the flu during Mass.

The Archdiocese of Boston issued directives for flu prevention, effective as of October 31, 2009, that include regular cleaning of Holy Water fonts, suspension of the distribution of the Precious Blood, a non-physical sign of peace, and a request that ministers of Holy Communion are to “distribute the consecrated hosts with care, being cautious not to touch the tongue or the hand of the communicant.”

These directives have also been implemented at Masses on the Boston College campus. Ellen Modica, Campus Minister for Liturgy at Boston College, said that “we made the announcement for four or five weeks straight” to inform students about the liturgical changes.

“We have also…made it clear to our Eucharistic Ministers that if they are feeling sick at all [...] they should be home in bed [but] if they are coming to Mass […] they should let us know they are not feeling well and [we will] get a substitute for them,” said Modica.

Father Casey Beaumier, who celebrates Mass at St. Joseph’s Chapel on Upper Campus, said most students attending Mass understand the new policies. He said that many students still wish to offer the sign of peace, but that they should “gesture at that time, there shouldn’t be a handshake.”

Father Robert VerEecke, pastor of St. Ignatius Parish, said that they too are observing the directives but hope that the liturgy will return to normal soon.

“I’m hoping that the cup will be restored soon. It already is in other parishes. This is what many people feel the absence of most profoundly. At the last supper, Jesus said to ‘take and eat’ and ‘take and drink’. Without the offering of the blood of Christ, people are feeling that some- thing very important is missing from the celebration of the Eucharist,” said Father VerEecke.

The Archdiocese of Boston affirmed in its directives that, “the faithful retain the option of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue or in the hand,” but, in what some consider a controversial decision, other bishops have asked parishioners to receive only in the hand.

Bishop Frederick Henry of the Diocese of Calgary, Alberta, issued a directive on November 5, 2009 for flu prevention that included the temporary suspension of Communion on the tongue.

“To the faithful of the Diocese of Calgary, I recognize the distress these changes to our sacred liturgy may cause for some,” said Bishop Henry.

The predicted distress has been evident in complaints on blogs and in letters to Bishop Henry. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued Redemptionis Sacramentum in 2004, which states that “each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue,” and some Catholics say that even temporary suspension of reception on the tongue is a violation of that right.

Still, many parishes have opted to request that parishioners refrain from receiving on the tongue to prevent possible spread of the flu. Father VerEecke said that at St. Ignatius, “We have asked people who usually receive on the tongue to consider receiving in the hand at this time ‘for the common good’. Many have generously been willing to make the change at this time.”

The threat of H1N1 flu, considered “widespread” in Massachusetts by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), has forced many to reconsider daily rituals, and the Catholic Church is no exception. The Archdiocese of Boston has averted most controversy by allowing the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue, though many still hope that the restrictions on the sign of peace and reception of the chalice will soon be lifted.

Related Articles: