A number of Catholic priests, a bishop, and a lay group are challenging the argument that banning Holy Communion on the tongue in favor of receiving in the hand decreases the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
The priests and bishop have pointed out that not only that receiving in the hand constitutes a risk of losing precious fragments of the consecrated host, but also that reception in the hand actually increases the risk of spreading diseases and germs.
Their warning comes as a number of dioceses around the world begin to implement bans on Communion on the tongue.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider, however, has argued that “Communion in the mouth is certainly less dangerous and more hygienic compared to Communion in the hand.”
“From a hygienic point of view, the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria. Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands. Whether by shaking other people’s hands or frequently touching objects, such as door handles or handrails and grab bars in public transport, germs can quickly pass from hand to hand; and with these unhygienic hands and fingers people then touch often their nose and mouth. Also, germs can sometimes survive on the surface of the touched objects for days. According to a 2006 study, published in the journal ‘BMC Infectious Diseases’, influenza viruses and similar viruses can persist on inanimate surfaces, such as e.g. door handles or handrails and handles in transport and public buildings for a few days,” he said.
He described any ban on Communion in the mouth as “unfounded compared to the great health risks of Communion in the hand in the time of a pandemic.”
Schneider said nobody can “force” a Catholic to receive the Body of Christ in a way that “constitutes a risk of the loss of the fragments, and a decrease in reverence, as is the way of receiving Communion in the hand.”
He recommended making a Spiritual Communion rather than receiving Communion in a trivial manner.
U.S.-based priest Fr. John Zuhlsdorf explained on his popular blog that based on his experience of “nearly three decades of distributing Communion in both ways,” he doesn’t believe that Communion in the hand is safer than Communion on the tongue.
Fr. Zuhlsdorf states: “When distributing Communion directly on the tongue, I rarely, rarely, have any contact with the tongue. When distributing on the hand, there is often, quite often, contact with the communicant’s fingers or palms.”
He said that if the coronavirus situation gets worse, so that there is “truly a great risk of contagion when out and around, A) you don’t have an obligation to fulfill and B) you don’t have to go to Communion to fulfill your obligation. You can make a spiritual Communion, since you are in the state of grace. Father could, in fact, opt not to distribute Communion.”
A number of other priests who frequently distribute Communion both in the hand and on the tongue have echoed Fr. Zuhlsdorf’s observations.
Fr. Ryan Hilderbrand and Fr. Ray Blake have both taken to Twitter to state that they “never” make contact with members of the faithful when giving Communion on the tongue but often do when distributing Communion in the hand.
Full story at LifeSiteNews.
And on that note, time to retire all the Eucharist Ministers too!
It would be interesting to see a medical/scientific study comparing disease transmission via Holy Communion on the tongue and in the hand. All I’ve seen so far seem to have a “liturgical bias” and are not done by medical professionals. As an Eastern Catholic, it is not an issue in my church. All laypersons who receive Holy Communion receive the Body and Blood of our Lord dropped into their open mouths from a gold spoon used either by a priest or deacon. That said, when I attend local Roman Catholic Masses, I follow the direction of the local Roman Catholic bishop, which, where I live, currently means receiving Holy Communion in the hand. The Vatican document Redemptionis Sacramentum (2004) indicates, “”All, including members of Institutes of consecrated life and Societies of apostolic life as well as those of all ecclesial associations and movements of any kind, are subject to the authority of the diocesan Bishop in all liturgical matters, apart from rights that have been legitimately conceded.” (RS, no. 22). Following the liturgical directives of one’s bishop (or, more precisely, the bishop responsible for the Mass or Divine Liturgy one is attending) is a matter that should be taken seriously.
The good Bishop cites no scientific data supporting his position so one can assume it is his opinion. I think the reception of Holy Communion in the mouth is probably more of a risk for the priests who are exposed to the germs from multiple mouths as he distributes the Host.
The good FHK cites no scientific data supporting his position so one can assume it is his opinion.
If one has put ones hands all over the pew, the missal, the door knobs and everything else, how can it be safe to take in the hands unless one is carrying antibacterial wipes and uses them on their hands before they go up When I receive on the tongue, I tilt my head slightly back, stick my tongue out and down, and the priest tilts the host down, drops it on the tongue and never touches the mouth area. The problem is with the Priests, Extraordinary Ministers and people who have not been taught how to give or take the host on the tongue.
Anther thing is when people receive standing it is hard for a shorter priest to give to a taller person on the tongue or by spoon unless the communicant kneels slightly. I have had to do that when receiving standing at Eastern Rite Divine Liturgies, and I am only about 5′ 3″.
This last post was mine too. There is another point to make. We can be too clean also. Exposure to certain germs can help build up our immune system. as long as we eat a healthy diet and are not promiscuous. I do not walk around with a mask on and continually use antibacterial wipes on everything, Unless one has the corona virus, I think that is carrying it too far.
Brings up another interesting point, and that is obedience to the bishop, the successor to the Apostles. I think receiving on the tongue is the most reverent way to receive Communion and I even think altar rails ought to come back, **But** when the people obstinately refuse to be obedient to a lawful directive from their bishop, especially in a serious or grave matter, they place themselves in contradiction to Christ himself. “He who hears you, hears me. He who rejects you, rejects me.” I’d advise great caution in this very spiritual dangerous situation. Might be better to wait to receive Communion until the directive for COVID-19 is lifted. Never said you had to agree or like it, but if you can’t obey your bishop here, think about a spiritual Communion for your own safety.