Concerned Catholic: After several months of severe illness, I have been diagnosed with coeliac disease. My consultant has told me to avoid absolutely all gluten in future. However, I have also read that the Catholic Church does not allow the use of gluten-free hosts for Holy Communion. Does this mean I can never receive the Eucharist again? I feel bereft.
Chaplain: As a Catholic priest who also suffers from coeliac disease, I very much appreciate your situation, and sympathise with it. Firstly, I would like to assure you that if you do stick to a gluten-free diet, your symptoms will soon improve dramatically. Avoiding gluten altogether can sometimes seem challenging, but nowadays most shops and restaurants cater well for those with coeliac disease, and in general society is much more understanding of those with severe food allergies.
