Church of England Upholds Tradition: Non-Alcoholic Wine, Gluten-Free Bread Excluded from Communion
In a reaffirmation of traditional practices, the Church of England has declared that only bread made from wheat flour and wine produced from fermented grape juice can be used during communion. This decision comes despite calls from clergy seeking to accommodate individuals unable to consume wheat or alcohol.
Before the General Synod convenes in London, church leaders emphasized adherence to the existing guidelines, which specify that the sacramental bread must consist of wheat flour and the wine must be fermented grape juice, as noted in The Telegraph.
While alternatives like rice or potato flour are not sanctioned, there is an allowance for wheat flour to be processed to remove most gluten, and for alcohol to be extracted post-fermentation, albeit with some residue remaining.
The Church of England’s canon law dictates that communion elements must be made from the “best and purest wheat flour” and “fermented juice of the grape, good and wholesome.”
This reaffirmation follows inquiries from Rev. Canon Alice Kemp about the potential use of gluten-free and alcohol-free elements in the Eucharist to prevent exclusion. She questioned, “Can consideration be given to enable the legal use of gluten-free and alcohol-free elements at the Eucharist to remove the injustice of this exclusion?” according to The Guardian.
Michael Ipgrave, bishop of Lichfield and head of the liturgical commission, emphasized that any change would conflict with two fundamental church positions. He stated, “First, that bread made with wheat and the fermented juice of the grape are the elements to be consecrated in Holy Communion; and second, that receiving Holy Communion in one kind in a case of necessity is not an ‘exclusion’ but full participation in the sacrament, as often practiced in the communion of the sick, or with children.”
Communion remains a pivotal sacrament within Christianity, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ through bread and wine. Notably, the Roman Catholic Church had earlier banned gluten-free bread for communion, though it permits bread made from genetically modified wheat, as per a 2017 decree.
This week’s General Synod is the first since the resignation of the Rt. Rev. Justin Welby as archbishop of Canterbury in November 2024. His stepping down occurred amid criticism for not reporting abuse allegations promptly. The Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, archbishop of York, will deliver the opening address.
The Church of England has seen a decline in trust due to recent scandals. A YouGov survey conducted from February 2 to 3 showed a drop in the church’s favorability from 32% in November to 25%, with unfavorable views rising from 39% to 49%.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
