Communion and Covid-19
With regard to the question of Communion reception, government regulations merely suggest Communion in the hand; they do not mandate it. Section 2 of the official guidance defines the difference between should and must. Must: “Where the guidance states that an activity must take place this is because it is a requirement under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020, and therefore is a requirement in law.” Should: “Where the guidance states that an activity should take place this is not a legal requirement under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020, however it is strongly advised that consideration is given to following the advice being given to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19.” The relevant sections about receiving communion read as follows: “The sharing of food should be avoided, as should the use of communal vessels... “If it is necessary to handle consumables as a part of a faith practice, those giving and receiving food items should wash their hands thoroughly before and after consumption, or wear gloves. “The person distributing the consumable should release it, into the hand only, in such a way to avoid any contact between them and those receiving it, or wear gloves. If accidental contact does occur, both people should cleanse their hands immediately.” This is all “should” not “must”. One problem is that some of this is in legislation in the form of statutory instruments. Normally MPs are able to check these instruments, but that requirement has been lifted for the 800 or so Covid-related instruments. It is quite impossible to keep track of them all. As to Communion in the hand, we are told to wash our hands at every opportunity. People will sanitise their hands on entering the church but will then be touching all sorts of other things such as the benches, their clothing etc, so there is no guarantee that when they come to Communion their hands will be Covid-free. We are then told not to touch our faces with our hands but in taking Communion in our hands and putting it in our mouths we are doing just that. Further putting on and taking off one’s mask usually involves touching our faces with our hands. It is very possible for a priest to sanitise his hands and then put the host on the communicant’s tongue. He can then sanitise his hands again before the next communicant. Apart from the business of taking off and putting on one’s mask, which presents the same risk as with Communion in the hand, this seems to be a safer procedure. Nicolas Bellord Horsted Keynes, West Sussex
