Message From The Bishop

Catholic Church Regulations: Swine Flu Epidemic:

On July 23rd 2009, I recommended certain restrictions on the giving and receiving of Holy Communion and the exchange of the greetings of peace in the celebration of Masses throughout the diocese. My thanks go to all parishes and communities for their generous co-operation in implementing these recommendations.
Advice now given me, and with the onset of the vaccination programme, suggests that we can relax these restrictions and return to normal and sensible precautions. I, therefore ask all parish priests to announce this from this weekend, October 31st/November 1st. 

This means reverting to what was previously the normal practice in the diocese, with Holy Communion being offered under both kinds and with the exchange of the greeting of peace by handshake or other suitable ways.

I leave it to each parish priest to make a judgement about re-imposing the restrictions should there be a significant incidence of infection in his parish. In such circumstances, it could be a sensible measure to do so.

The practice of receiving the Sacred Host in the hand has great merit but I do not insist that this has to be the case – Holy Communion may also be received on the tongue. The practice of Ministers of the Sacred Host ensuring that their hands are washed, either with soap and water or with the sanitizers provided, before and after ministering has been a good development and I encourage all Ministers to continue to do this.

Should any parishioners still feel uncomfortable about receiving from the chalice, then they must feel free to make the choice not to do so. It might just be worthwhile reiterating the age-old teaching that the Body and Blood of the Lord are fully present even when received under one kind. However, the Church also teaches that it is a fuller sign when Holy Communion is received under both kinds.