I thought people might be interested in this anecdote after the discussion on the issue of spreading disease through the Eucharist and icons in an Orthodox context.
My dh is on parish council in our Anglican church. Apparently there had been many recent inquiries to the Bishop with regard to swine flue and spreading disease, and so the Bishop's office sent out a letter to parish councils giving direction. The letter staed, among other things, "The practice of intiction is not acceptable."
The council actually refused to accept it, and gave the excuse that it didn't actual say to stop intinction - although they have contacted the office for further clarification. What I found fascinating was that they refused to believe that hands are more likely to carry disease than the mouth, despite references to scientific data.
Also, the notice suggested that all parishioners should wash hands after passing the peace and before taking communion - I am not sure how this is supposed to work practically speaking. I hate passing the peace anyway, and always thought the practice of the clergy and servers in the sanctuary passing it by symbolicly kissing was nicer anyway.
My dh is on parish council in our Anglican church. Apparently there had been many recent inquiries to the Bishop with regard to swine flue and spreading disease, and so the Bishop's office sent out a letter to parish councils giving direction. The letter staed, among other things, "The practice of intiction is not acceptable."
The council actually refused to accept it, and gave the excuse that it didn't actual say to stop intinction - although they have contacted the office for further clarification. What I found fascinating was that they refused to believe that hands are more likely to carry disease than the mouth, despite references to scientific data.
Also, the notice suggested that all parishioners should wash hands after passing the peace and before taking communion - I am not sure how this is supposed to work practically speaking. I hate passing the peace anyway, and always thought the practice of the clergy and servers in the sanctuary passing it by symbolicly kissing was nicer anyway.
